Reconstitution techniques qualification and evaluation to study ageing phenomena of nuclear pressure vessel materials (RESQUE)

The RESQUE project aims at optimising and normalising reconstitution techni ques and is now in its final phase. The project belongs to the AGE-cluster, that also involves the REFEREE project being used as an input to RESQUE. A t FISA '97 the reference data on non-reconstituted specimens were presented together with a set of recommendations on temperature measurements (WP1, W P2). Now, the results on the quality and limiting conditions of the reconst itution weld scam are discussed. The combination of this information leads to a set of recommendations for optimised reconstitution parameters that al low to qualify reconstitution equipment and methodology (WP3). The recommen dations on the minimum insert length for impact and three-point bend fractu re toughness testing have been established (WP4). Recommendations on dimens ional tolerance deviations were put forward (WP5) and series of tests have been performed on selected reconstituted irradiated specimens (WP6). All wo rk packages have been summarised. The overall information is being recapitu lated in a 'Proposal for Code of Practice for Reconstitution of Irradiated C-V-type Specimens' (WP7). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.