Characterization of ductile-brittle transition behavior in Mn-Mo-Ni low alloy steels for reactor pressure vessel by small punch test

Small Punch (SP) tests were performed to evaluate the ductile-brittle transition behavior of Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels produced by different manufacturing (refining) processes. The results were compared to the standard test results, such as the conventional Charpy impact tests, JIC test and the Master Curve fracture toughness tests in accordance with the ASTM standard E1921. The SP transition temperatures (TSP), which are determined by the middle of the upper SP energy, showed a good correlation with the Charpy index temperatures. And the critical fracture strength, σ*f(sp) from small punch test were found to have a linear relationship to the values from the pre-cracked specimens(σ*f(PCVN)). From the observation of thickness changes according to displacement, Equivalent strain(Eq) could be obtained as a function of ball displacement. It is found that relation between specimen thickness and ball displacement is not dependent on material properties and it is expressed as a function of ball displacement, and then SP equivalent strain(Eq) have close relationship with the fracture toughness(JIC)