The effect of irradiation-induced damage on the hardening embrittlement of RPV steels

The effect of irradiation-induced damage on the hardening of RPV steels is evaluated on the basis of SANS, TEM, PAS and TAP applied to Fe-based model alloys. Composition (especially Cu, Mn and Ni) and neutron dose of these alloys were systematically varied. The applied methods were utilized in order to separate the contributions to the irradiation-induced yield stress increase caused by different type of defects including dislocation loops, vacancy-type clusters, Cu-rich precipitates and Ni/Mn-rich precipitates.