3.1 Practices E185 and E2215 describe a minimum program for the surveillance of reactor vessel materials, specifically mechanical property changes that occur in service. This guide may be applied to generate additional information on radiation-induced property changes to better assist the determination of the optimum reactor vessel operation schemes.

1.1 This guide discusses test procedures that can be used in conjunction with, but not as alternatives to, those required by Practices E185 and E2215 for the surveillance of nuclear reactor vessels. The supplemental mechanical property tests outlined permit the acquisition of additional information on radiation-induced changes in mechanical properties of the reactor vessel steels.

1.2 This guide provides recommendations for the preparation of test specimens for irradiation, and identifies special precautions and requirements for reactor surveillance operations and post-irradiation test planning. Guidance on data reduction and computational procedures is also given. Reference is made to other ASTM test methods for the physical conduct of specimen tests and for raw data acquisition.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.