The reconstitution of Charpy-size tensile specimens

Charpy-size tensile specimens have been reconstituted starting from broken Charpy specimens. Precautions have been taken to prevent fracture in the weld regions of the reconstituted specimens Careful qualification of the tensile properties of the reconstituted tensile bars has been established and is in agreement with test results on ASTM/E8-size tensile specimens. The tensile properties of the unirradiated weld material of the Belgian PWR Doel 2 and of the unirradiated base metal of the German BWR Philippsburg 1 have been determined using this methodology Both the resulting yield and maximum loads are in agreement with the actual expectations. Qualification to apply the technique on irradiated specimens is in preparation.