Abstract

Grain-boundary segregation of impurity elements, such as phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and others, decreases the grain-boundary cohesion, which can substantially increase the temperature of the ductile-brittle transition in low-alloy structural steel. The most dangerous surface-active impurity for low-alloy steel employed for nuclear reactor vessels is phosphorus. A change of the cohesive strength of grain boundaries as a result of radiation-stimulated phosphorus segregation is considered to be one of the main mechanisms determining the radiation embrittlement of reactor-vessel materials. Since the mechanisms of embrittlement during development of reversible temper brittleness and radiation-stimulated grain-boundary segregation of phosphorus are the same, the main characteristics of the influence of the latter on the mechanical properties of steel can be determined by investigating steel treated in the range 400–600°C. The present investigation made it possible to develop a relation for determining the change in the temperature of the ductile-brittle transition in low-alloy steel as a result of the development of temper brittleness.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.