On the acceleration of the microstructure evolution detected by SANS in low-Cu RPV steels

Previous work on low-Cu RPV steels JPB and JPC irradiated at 255 °C indicated an acceleration of the increase of both yield stress and total SANS intensity as functions of neutron fluence. A new algorithm was used to analyze the original SANS data as well as SANS data obtained for new BR2-irradiations at 290 °C of the same materials. Both data sets are compared with one another and correlated with the respective mechanical test results. Additional evidence is provided on the basis of SANS experiments performed for the RPV steels irradiated at 255 °C and post-irradiation annealed at 290 °C.