Characterization of transition behavior in SA508 Gr.4N Ni–Cr–Mo low alloy steels with microstructural alteration by Ni and Cr contents

SA508 Gr.4N Ni–Cr–Mo low alloy steel, in which Ni and Cr contents are higher than in commercial reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels, may be a candidate RPV material with the improved strength and toughness due to its tempered martensitic microstructure. This study aims at assessing the effects of microstructural factors with alloying element contents on the transition properties of Ni–Cr–Mo low alloy steels. Model alloys with different Ni and Cr contents were fabricated and their Charpy impact toughness and fracture toughness were examined in the transition region according to ASTM E23 and E1921 standard procedures, respectively. The test results showed extensive improvements of both impact toughness and fracture toughness with increasing Ni and Cr contents. However, Ni content was more effective on the impact toughness than on the fracture toughness, while Cr content was more effective on the fracture toughness. In order to identify a difference in effects of alloying elements contents on the fracture toughness and impact toughness, the relations between the transition properties and the scale of the microstructural features such as packets and carbides are discussed in detail.