LAUSR

ABSTRACT Thermal simulated specimens with the heat inputs of 20, 50 and 80 kJ/cm were used to investigate the effects of heat input on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Fe–2Cr–Mo–0.12C pressure-vessel steel. The results indicated that the microstructures in the coarse-grained heat affected zone of tested steels with various heat inputs were mainly consisted of lath martensite and bainite ferrite. As the heat input increased, the fraction of martensite decreased and the bainite ferrite fraction increased. The toughness (tested at −40°C) and hardness for the heat input of 50 kJ/cm were 102 J and 346 HV, respectively, which was attributed to the high-volume fraction (60%) of the high-angle grain-boundary and the fine bainite lath. This paper is part of a thematic issue on Nuclear Materials.