Reference upper shelf fracture toughness properties of PWR pressure vessel materials: neutral/basic flux PWR submerged-arc welds

A generic data base, relating to the upper shelf fracture toughness properties (O ≤ T ≤ 3000C) of pressurised water reactor (PWR) pressure vessel submerged-arc welds, deposited using neutral or basic fluxes, has been compiled and is presented in summary form within the main body of this report. A comparison with the A533B-1 plate and A508-3 forging data presented in the Second (1982) Report of the Light Water Reactor Study Group suggests the upper shelf fracture toughness properties of RPV submerged-arc welds metals are such that, over the temperature range appropriate to PWR plant operation: (i) initiation toughnesses are generally less than those associated with A533B-1/A508-3 base metals containing < 0.010 wt% S; (ii) enhanced toughnesses, corresponding to 2.0 mm stable crack extension, are comparable with those expected of A533B-1 plate materials containing < 0.010 wt% S. The information gathering exercise has also confirmed that upper shelf toughnesses associated with the use of basic or neutral fluxes are higher than those associated with the use of acidic fluxes. (author)