Evaluation of Embrittlement of Reactor Pressure Vessel Steel by Sub-size Charpy Impact Test

Abstract

Surveillance tests (Charpy impact tests) are employed to evaluate material degradation of Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) by neutron irradiation. According to the new regulation standard concerning the extension of nuclear reactor operation, at least two additional surveillance tests will be required. Application of embrittlement evaluation technology of RPV using sub-size Charpy impacte test specimen is under verification. In applying the sub-size Charpy test specimen to the RPV embrittlement evaluation, it is necessary to confirm the compatibility with the data acquired by full-size Charpy test specimen. In this paper, conversion equation based on area of fracture surface is examined and proposed.