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Examination of Neutron-Irradiated Pressure-Vessel Steel Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectrosopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Stephen E. Cumblidge ,
Arthur T. Motta  and
Gary L. Catchen
Stephen E. Cumblidge
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
Arthur T. Motta
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
Gary L. Catchen
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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Abstract

On a variety of pressure-vessel (PV) steels, we have observed changes in the average positron lifetime with increasing (near end-of-life) neutron fluences. Samples were irradiated at reactor-temperature and subjected to post-irradiation annealing, and they were examined using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The measured average positron lifetimes in high-temperature (2900 C-300° C) irradiated PV steels decrease with increasing neutron damage up to fluences of 8.5×1018 cm−2 and increase again at higher fluences. Annealing of high-fluence, 300° C irradiated ASTM A508 PV steel samples produces an initial decrease in average positron lifetimes with increasing annealing temperatures of up to 400° C, followed by an increase in average positron lifetime with higher annealing temperatures, when samples were annealed in successive 24-hour steps. A sample of weld steel, irradiated to 2.2×1019 cm−2 at 290° C, shows similar behavior in which the minimum lifetime occurs at ≈ 450° C. These trends are similar to those seen in previous studies performed on VVER and other ferritic steels.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 540: Symposium N / Microstructural Processes in Irradiated Materials , 1998 , 471
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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