A series of advanced investigations on the radiation performance of four 6-in-thick plates from a large (30-ton) commercial melt of A533-B steel is described. The melt represented the first commercial scale demonstration test of improved radiation embrittlement resistance through the control (minimization) of selected residual impurity elements. Melt specifications emphasized the attainment of a low copper and phosphorus content; one half of the melt was modified, however, by a copper addition (0.03 percent Cu increased to 0.13 percent Cu). Initial plate tests described superior 550 F (288 C) radiation resistance, in terms of notch ductility retention, for the primary melt composition and verified the detrimental influence of impurity copper on irradiation behavior. Promising capability of the primary melt composition for very high fluence (∼2.5 × 1020 n/cm2 > 1 MeV) service is shown by the current investigations. In addition, a significant influence of copper content on radiation resistance is revealed for a broad range of exposure temperatures. A dependence of 650 F (343 C) postirradiation heat treatment response (notch ductility recovery) on copper content was also found. Charpy-V versus dynamic tear test performance and tensile strength trends with temperature are examined for low (<450 F, 121 C) and elevated (550 to 585 F, 288 to 307 C) temperature irradiation conditions.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Papers
Further Observations on A533-B Steel Plate Tailored for Improved Radiation Embrittlement Resistance
J. R. Hawthorne
J. R. Hawthorne
Naval Research Lab., Washington, D.C.
Search for other works by this author on:
J. R. Hawthorne
Naval Research Lab., Washington, D.C.
J. Pressure Vessel Technol. May 1976, 98(2): 111-117 (7 pages)
Published Online: May 1, 1976
Article history
Received:
June 5, 1975
Online:
October 25, 2010
Citation
Hawthorne, J. R. (May 1, 1976). "Further Observations on A533-B Steel Plate Tailored for Improved Radiation Embrittlement Resistance." ASME. J. Pressure Vessel Technol. May 1976; 98(2): 111–117. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3454347
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
The Behavior of Elbow Elements at Pure Bending Applications Compared to Beam and Shell Element Models
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (February 2025)
Related Articles
Radiation and Temper Embrittlement Processes in Advanced Reactor Weld Metals
J. Eng. Ind (August,1972)
Yankee Reactor Pressure Vessel Surveillance: Notch Ductility Performance of Vessel Steel and Maximum Service Fluence Determined From Exposure During Cores II, III, and IV
J. Basic Eng (December,1967)
Analysis of Radiation-Induced Embrittlement Gradients on Fracture Characteristics of Thick-Walled Pressure Vessel Steels
J. Eng. Ind (November,1971)
Characteristics of the New Embrittlement Correlation Method for the Japanese Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (October,2010)
Related Chapters
Introduction and Definitions
Handbook on Stiffness & Damping in Mechanical Design
Strain Hardening and Tensile Properties
New Advanced High Strength Steels: Optimizing Properties
Materials
Power Boilers: A Guide to the Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Second Edition