Evaluation for Toughness Degradation of 2.25Cr-1Mo Steel Using Magnetic Property Measurement Method

Many researchers have been interested in the nondestructive measurement methods for examining the microstructural changes and components damage in order to assure the safe operation of steel structure. It has been recognized that the techniques based on magnetic measurement offered a great potential because of high susceptibility to the change of several metallurgical factors. In this study, the effect of isothermal heat treatments, which simulate the microstructural changes observed in reactor vessel material at the service temperature, on the magnetic properties was investigated. 2.25Cr-1Mo steel specimens with several different kinds of aging were prepared by an isothermal heat treatment at three different temperature levels. Magnetic property such as coercive force was measured. The coercive force at room temperature monotonously increased with the extent of degradation of the material. The correlation between the measured magnetic property and the mechanical properties was studied. In addition, the applicability of magnetic properties measurements to the evaluation for toughness degradation of reactor vessel was discussed.