BASIC RESULTS OF THE RUSSIAN WWER-1000 SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM

The surveillance test results of the reactor pressure vessels (RPV) of three Russian WWER-1000 type units designated Units 1, 2 and 3 are gi ven and the embrittlement rates compared to those predicted by the Rus sian Regulatory Guide. The surveillance materials properties measured by manufacturers of the RPVs are reviewed. The chemical compositions i ndicate low impurity contents (copper and phosphorus) but nickel conte nts up to 1.9 wt.% in some welds. The Charpy test results were availab le for the surveillance base and weld metals and the heat-affected zon e (HAZ) of the three units. Dependence of the radiation behavior of WW ER-1000 RPV steels on metallurgical variables and the damage dose is c onsidered. The trend curves for the steels under investigation are pro posed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.