ASTM E0900-21 - Standard Guide for Predicting Radiation-Induced Transition Temperature Shift in Reactor Vessel Materials

1.1 This guide presents a method for predicting values of reference transition temperature shift (TTS) for irradiated pressure vessel materials. The method is based on the TTS exhibited by Charpy V-notch data at 41-J (30-ft·lbf) obtained from surveillance programs conducted in several countries for commercial pressurized (PWR) and boiling (BWR) light-water cooled (LWR) power reactors. An embrittlement correlation has been developed from a statistical analysis of the large surveillance database consisting of radiation-induced TTS and related information compiled and analyzed by Subcommittee E10.02. The details of the database and analysis are described in a separate report (ADJE090015-EA).2^,3 This embrittlement correlation was developed using the variables copper, nickel, phosphorus, manganese, irradiation temperature, neutron fluence, and product form. Data ranges and conditions for these variables are listed in 1.1.1. Section 1.1.2 lists the materials included in the database and the domains of exposure variables that may influence TTS but are not used in the embrittlement correlation.

1.2 It is the responsibility of the user to show that the conditions of interest in their application of this guide are addressed adequately by the technical information on which the guide is based. It should be noted that the conditions quantified by the database are not distributed evenly over the range of materials and irradiation conditions described in 1.1, and that some combination of variables, particularly at the extremes of the data range are under-represented. Particular attention is warranted when the guide is applied to conditions near the extremes of the data range used to develop the TTS equation and when the application involves a region of the data space where data is sparse. Although the embrittlement correlation developed for this guide was based on statistical analysis of a large database, prudence is required for applications that involve variable values beyond the ranges specified in 1.1. Due to strong correlations with other exposure variables within the database (that is, fluence), and due to the uneven distribution of data within the database (for example, the irradiation temperature and flux range of PWR and BWR data show almost no overlap) neither neutron fluence rate nor irradiation time sufficiently improved the accuracy of the predictions to merit their use in the embrittlement correlation in this guide. Future versions of this guide may incorporate the effect of neutron fluence rate or irradiation time, or both, on TTS , as such effects are described in (1).4 The irradiated material database, the technical basis for developing the embrittlement correlation, and issues involved in its application, are discussed in a separate report (ADJE090015-EA). That report describes the nine different TTS equations considered in the development of this guide, some of which were developed using more limited datasets (for example, national program data (2, 3)). If the material variables or exposure conditions of a particular application fall within the range of one of these alternate correlations, it may provide more suitable guidance.

1.3 This guide is expected to be used in coordination with several standards addressing irradiation surveillance of light-water reactor vessel materials. Method of determining the applicable fluence for use in this guide are addressed in Guides E482, E944, and Test Method E1005. The overall application of these separate guides and practices is described in Practice E853.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.5 This standard guide does not define how the TTS should be used to determine the final adjusted reference temperature, which would typically include consideration of the transition temperature before irradiation, the predicted TTS, and the uncertainties in the shift estimation method.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.