Influence of macrostructure and phase composition on performance characteristics of welded joints of WWER type reactor vessels

Abstract

The influence of the grain structure and phase composition of welded seams of WWER-type reactors on their operational characteristics in the initial state is analyzed. Comprehensive studies of welds with various structures formed as a result of welding using various technologies have been carried out. It is shown that differences in the phase composition and morphology of the grain structure of the weld metal in the initial state, which is characterized by an increased proportion of columnar grains and a higher density of carbide phases, lead to an increase in the yield strength and critical brittleness temperature of welded joints.