Experimental study of the fracture kinetics of a tubular 16MnNiMo5 steel specimen under biaxial loading at 900 and 1000 °C. Application to the rupture of a vessel bottom head during a core meltdown accident in a pressurized water reactor

► Biaxial mechanical tests on 16MnNiMo5 tubular specimens are realized at 900 and 1000 °C until rupture. ► Crack propagation is recorded by high speed digital and infrared cameras. ► The propagation scenario strongly depends on the temperature.