Fracture mechanics behavior of the T91 martensitic steel in contact with liquid lead–bismuth eutectic for application in an accelerator driven system

The fracture toughness of the T91 martensitic steel in liquid lead–bismuth eutectic has been measured at 300 °C in plane stress and plane strain conditions. The effect of achieving wetting at the crack tip prior starting mechanical testing is demonstrated to be the key factor for a correct evaluation of the potential effect of LBE on fracture toughness. In plane stress, one observes a serrated fracture mode associated with a reduction of fracture toughness between 20% and 30%. The toughness reduction is higher in plane strain where the cleavage fracture mode prevails. The difference between the two fracture modes is due to the higher plastic deformation level reached at final fracture in plane stress and to the higher crack growth rate in plane strain. These results will be useful for the design of future nuclear systems cooled by LBE planning to use martensitic steels as structural materials.