Effect of Specimen Configuration of Miniature C(T) Specimen for Evaluate Embrittlement of Reactor Pressure Vessel Weld Metal

Abstract

Surveillance tests (Charpy impact tests) are employed to evaluate material degradation of Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) by neutron irradiation. To secure the sufficient number of surveillance specimens, embrittlement evaluation technique of RPV by master curve method using miniature compact tension specimen (Mini-C(T) specimen) have been developed. Due to the Mini-C(T) specimen for weld metal may be obtained from an unused Charpy impact specimen for weld metal, there are cases in which V-notch is included in Mini-C(T) specimen for weld metal. Therefore, the effect of the specimen shape to fracture toughness was evaluated.