Skip to main content
Log in

Optimum use of broken Charpy specimens from surveillance programs for the application of the master curve approach

  • Published:
International Journal of Fracture Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Broken Charpy specimens can be used in various ways to determine the reference temperature, T 0, as defined in the Master Curve approach. Reconstitution and machining of subsize specimens are two solutions for direct toughness evaluation. The optimum technique and specimen geometry preferentially: use a minimum number of broken half Charpy’s, have a small uncertainty on the reference temperature, have the widest valid test temperature window, have a reasonable cost, and are easy to perform into hot cells. In this study, the use of various miniature specimen types such as Compact (C(T)), Single Edge notch Bend, (SE(B)), or Miniature Precracked Charpy (MPCCv), and Circumferentially Cracked Round Bars (CRB), is investigated. As this study deals with small specimens, the problem of loss of constraint is also addressed. Taking all constraints into account, a 0.16T−C(T) specimen is found to be the more promising geometry. This work is supported by experimental data generated on various specimen types and sizes on the well-characterised reactor pressure vessel steels 22NiMoCr37, 20MoNiCr55 and JRQ.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Heerens, J. and Hellmann D. (2002). Development of the euro fracture toughness dataset. Engineering Fracture Mechanics 69, 421–449.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heerens, J., Read, D. T., Cornec, A. and Schwalbe, K.-H. (1991). Interpretation of fracture toughness on the ductile-to-brittle transition region by fractographical observations. Mechanical Engineering Publications, 659–678.

  • Lucon, E., Scibetta, M. and van Walle E. (2001). Assessment of the Master Curve Approach on Three Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels (JRQ, JSPS, 22NiMoCr37). IAEA Specialists’ Meeting on Master Curve Testing and Results Application, 17–19 September 2001, Prague, Czech Republic

  • Lucon, E., Scibetta, M., Chaoudi, R. and van Walle E. (2002). Fracture Toughness Measurements in the Transition Region Using Sub-Size Precracked Charpy and Cylindrical Bar Specimens. Small Specimen Test Techniques: Fourth Volume, ASTM STP 1418, M. A. Sokolov, J. D. Landes, and G. E. Lucas, Eds., American society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scibetta, M. and Chaouadi, R. (1997). Effect of reconstitution on fracture toughness measured with PCCv. report BLG-749, SCK·CEN Mol, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scibetta, M. (1999). Contribution to the Evaluation of the Circumferentially-Cracked Round Bar for Fracture Toughness Determination of Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels. Doctoral Thesis, University of Liège, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scibetta, M., Chaouadi, R. and van Walle, E. (2000). Fracture toughness analysis of circumferentially-cracked round bars. International Journal of Fracture 104, 145–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scibetta, M. (2000). Constraint Assessment in PCCv and 1T C(T) Specimens using 3-D Finite Element Simulations. report BLG-861, SCK·CEN Mol, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scibetta, M., Lucon, E. and van Walle, E. (2001).Technical Appendix of ‘Optimal Use of Broken Charpy Specimens from Surveillance Programs for the Application of the Master Curve Approach’. report BLG-888, SCK·CEN Mol, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Walle, E. (1997). Belgian Contribution to the IAEA CRP-IV Programme on ‘Assuring Structural Integrity of Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels’. report BLG-754, SCK·CEN Mol, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Walle, E. et al. (2000). RESQUE: Reconstitution Techniques Qualification & Evaluation to study Ageing Phenomena of Nuclear Pressure Vessel Materials Final Report: Recommendations for Reconstitution of Non-Irradiated and Irradiated Charpy-size Specimens, report R-3450, SCK·CEN Mol, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallin, K. (1998). Master curve analysis of ductile to brittle transition region fracture toughness round robin data. The ‘EURO’fracture toughness curve. VTT Publications: 367, Espoo, 1–58.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scibetta, M., Lucon, E. & van Walle, E. Optimum use of broken Charpy specimens from surveillance programs for the application of the master curve approach. International Journal of Fracture 116, 231–244 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020165900918

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020165900918

Navigation