Use of a Semi-Mechanistic Analytical Model to Analyze Radiation Embrittlement of Model Alloys: Cu and P Effects

We performed analysis of the basic mechanism of radiation embrittlement of steels and weld seams with account of the direct matrix fracture, precipitation and segregation of chemical elements. A model is proposed, which describes matrix fracture due to its neutron bombardment and for 11 model alloys provides an accurate description of the processes of primary embrittlement and re-embrittlement after scheduled heat treatment (annealing). The distinctive features of the proposed model are: a possibility of explaining the embrittlement processes before and after annealing. for alloys with low (or zero) Ni content, and its applicability to the analysis of operational behavior of WWER materials.