Material damage evaluation and residual life assessment of primary power plant components for long-term operation using specimens of non-standard dimensions

This paper addresses several experimental techniques, which have been developed and validated with the aim of assessing the mechanical conditions of service-exposed primary plant components, particularly from the point of view of fracture toughness. Such techniques are based on the use of specimens of small or even miniaturized size, as an alternative to the 'conventional' methodologies described by commonly used test standards. (author)