RESQUE: Validation of specimen reconstitution with temperature measurements and comparative testing with irradiated materials

This paper continues reporting on the EU-sponsored research project RESQUE. First detailed checks with different ways to instrument reconstitution inserts were performed and thin silver soldered thermocouples were chosen to be used in the project. Temperature transients in welded inserts were measured in detail in order to compare the properties of six different reconstitution systems. The measured temperature transients were repeatable and relatively consistent. Within approximately 4 mm of the near weld seam volume a typical material irradiation temperature was exceeded for a short time. This value was nearly the same by all devices. Validation tests with original and reconstituted specimens were performed. No indication of material annealing in reconstitution, i.e. a trend towards lower transition temperatures, was noticed. As compared to the requirements of ASTM E1253-88, the applied insert lengths were too short. Still original data was repeated with reconstituted specimens, which is an indication that the standard is conservative.