Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of Mechanical Properties and Nanostructure Changes of VVER-440 Reactor Pressure Vessel Metal after Annealing

  • RADIATION RESISTANCE OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
  • Published:
Physics of Atomic Nuclei Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Analysis of mechanical testing and microstructural investigations of the irradiated VVER-440 reactor pressure vessel (RPV) metal before and after annealing carried out in the frameworks of the international project “PRIMAVERA” is presented. The role of chemical elements (Cu and P) was studied in relation to irradiation embrittlement of the VVER-440 RPV weld metal in the initial state, after recovery annealing and after post-annealing irradiation. It was shown that under primary irradiation, copper atoms formed small clusters (size ~1‒2 nm) which also include P, Si and Mn atoms. Phosphorus atoms also segregated on copper clusters, dislocations, grain boundaries, and additionally formed phosphorus clusters and atmospheres. Under thermal annealing at 475°C, the irradiation-induced copper-enriched and phosphorus clusters partially dissolved, increasing the copper concentration in the annealed metal, which was significantly lower compared to the unirradiated material. Since most copper atoms after annealing were not contained in the ferritic matrix but in precipitates, the contribution of copper atoms to an increase in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature under re-irradiation was minimized and so hardening and embrittlement after subsequent post-annealing irradiation were lower than under primary irradiation.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 10.
Fig. 11.
Fig. 12.
Fig. 13.
Fig. 14.
Fig. 15.
Fig. 16.
Fig. 17.
Fig. 18.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. A. Amaev, A. Kryukov, and M. Sokolov, ASTM STR 1170 (1993).

  2. A. Zeman, A. Chernobaeva, V. Grafutin, S. Rogozhkin, L. Debarberis, A. Ballesteros, D. Erak, and A. Nikitin, in Proceedings of 25th Symposium on Effects of Radiation on Nuclear Materials, June 15–17, 2011, Anaheim, CA.

  3. A. Chernobaeva, J. Shtrombah, A. Krjukov, D. Erak, P. Platonov, J. Nikolaev, E. Krasikov, L. Debarberis, Yu. Kohopaa, M. Valo, S. Vodenicharov, and T. Ka-menove, Int. J. Press. Vessels Piping 84, 151 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. S. Rogozkin, A. Chernobaeva, A. Aleev, A. Nikitin, A. Zaluzhnyi, D. Erak, Ya. Shtrombakh, O. Zabusov, L. Debarberis, and A. Zeman, in Proceedings of PVP2009, 2009 ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Division Conference, July 26–30, Prague, Czech Republic (2009), PVP2009-78128.

  5. A. Kryukov, L. Debarberis, U. von Estorff, and F. Gillemot, Int. J. Nucl. Knowledge Manage. 4, 301 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ya. I. Shtrombakh, A. A. Chernobaeva, Yu. A. Nikolaev, and E.  A. Krasikov, Istor. Nauki Tekhnol., No. 8, 119 (2013).

  7. A. A. Chernobaeva, D. Yu. Erak, K. I. Medvedev, E.  A.  Krasikov, M. V. Dadon, A. A. Reshetnikov, N. V. Pal, and V. N. Kochkin, Vopr. At. Nauki Tekh., Ser.: Fiz. Yad. React., No. 3, 47 (2020).

  8. Rules and Standards in Nuclear Energy G-7-002-86, Standards for Calculating the Strength of Equipment and Pipelines of Nuclear Power Plants (1987).

  9. A. L. Suvorov, S. V. Rogozhkin, A. G. Zaluzhnyi, et al., Vopr. At. Nauki Tekh., Ser.: Materialoved. Nov. Mater., No. 1 (66), 3 (2006).

  10. S. V. Rogozhkin, V. S. Ageev, A. A. Aleev, A. G. Zaluzhnyi, M. V. Leont’eva-Smirnova, and A. A. Nikitin, Phys. Met. Metallogr. 108, 579 (2009).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. J. M. Hyde, M. G. Byrke, and B. Gault, D. Wf. Saxey, P. Styman, K. B. Wilford, and T. J. Williams, Ultramicroscopy 111, 676 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Y. Yamaguchi, J. Takahashi, and K. Kawakami, Ultramicroscopy 109, 541 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. B. Radiguet, A. Barbu, and P. Pareige, J. Nucl. Mater. 360, 104 (2007).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. A. Amaev, A. Kryukov, V. Levit, and M. Sokolov, ASTM STR 1170 (1993), p. 9.

    Google Scholar 

  15. L. M. Davies, A. Kryukov, C. English, Y. Nikolaev, and W. Server, in Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Effects of Radiation on Materials, ASTM STP 1366 (2000).

  16. L. Debarberis, F. Sevini, B. Acosta, A. Kryukov, Y. Nikolaev, A. Amaev, and M. Valo, Int. J. Press. Vessels Piping 79, 637 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. A. A. Chernobaeva, D. Yu. Erak, and K. I. Medvedev, Vopr. At. Nauki Tekh., Ser.: Fiz. Yad. Reakt., No. 1, 72 (2020).

  18. D. Yu. Erak, V. B. Papina, A. A. Chernobaeva, K. I. Medvedev, and D. A. Zhurko, Vopr. At. Nauki Tekh., Ser.: Fiz. Yad. Reakt., No. 2, 67 (2017).

  19. S. V. Rogozhkin, A. A. Nikitin, A. A. Aleev, A.  G.  Zaluzhnyi, A. A. Chernobaeva, D. Yu. Erak, Ya. I. Shtrombakh, and O. O. Zabusov, Nucl. Phys. Eng. 4 (1), 73 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  20. M. K. Miller, R. K. Nanstad, M. A. Sokolov, and K. F. Russel, J. Nucl. Mater. 351, 216 (2006).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. M. K. Miller, Atom Probe Tomography: Analysis at the Atomic Level (Kluwer Academic, New York, NY, 2000).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  22. B. A. Gurovich, E. A. Kuleshova, O. V. Lavrenchuk, K. E. Prikhodko, and Ya. I. Shtrombakh, J. Nucl. Mater. 264, 333 (1999).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. O. Zabusov, E. Krasikov, M. Kozodaev, A. Suvorov, P. Pareige, and B. Radiguet, Vopr. At. Nauki Tekh., Ser.: Fiz. Rad. Povrezhd. Mater., No. 3, 66 (2003).

  24. P. J. E. Bischler and R. K. Wild, ASTM STR 1270 (1996), p. 260.

    Google Scholar 

  25. S. V. Fedotova, E. A. Kuleshova, B. A. Gurovich, A.  S.  Frolov, D. A. Maltsev, G. M. Zhuchkov, and I. V. Fedotov, J. Nucl. Mater. 511, 30 (2018).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The atom probe tomography analysis was carried out using the equipment of Center for Collective Use KAMIKS (http://kamiks.itep.ru/), Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics of National Research Center Kurchatov Institute.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scientific and Engineering Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, 107140, Moscow, Russia

    A. M. Kryukov & V. I. Lebedinsky

  2. National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182, Moscow, Russia

    A. A. Chernobaeva, D. Yu. Erak, V. B. Papina & D. A. Zhurko

  3. Alikhanov Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, 117218, Moscow, Russia

    S. V. Rogozhkin & A. A. Nikitin

  4. National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), 115409, Moscow, Russia

    S. V. Rogozhkin & A. A. Nikitin

Authors
  1. A. M. Kryukov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. A. Chernobaeva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. Yu. Erak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. V. Rogozhkin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. A. Nikitin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. V. I. Lebedinsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. V. B. Papina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. D. A. Zhurko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to A. A. Chernobaeva or S. V. Rogozhkin.

Ethics declarations

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kryukov, A.M., Chernobaeva, A.A., Erak, D.Y. et al. Analysis of Mechanical Properties and Nanostructure Changes of VVER-440 Reactor Pressure Vessel Metal after Annealing. Phys. Atom. Nuclei 84, 1676–1690 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063778821120036

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063778821120036

Keywords:

Search

Navigation