Measurement and analysis of SHCCT diagram for CLAM steel

China Low Activation Martensitic (CLAM) steel is a leading candidate material for construction of the Chinese fusion reactor Test Blanket Module. The Simulated HAZ Continuous Cooling Transformation (SHCCT) diagram is developed via physical simulation, and the effects of thermal history on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld coarse-grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) in CLAM steel are evaluated. The results of thermal cycle simulation show that grain size increases and hardness decreases gradually with increasing heat input. Under certain conditions, especially when cooling times from 800 °C to 500 °C (T8/5) are larger than 136 s, delta ferrite may form which is deleterious for the TBM application. The amounts of delta ferrite are given under different T8/5. A SHCCT diagram of CLAM steel is developed using dilatometry and it predicts the AC1, AC3 and the Ms temperatures. With decreased cooling rate (larger T8/5), martensite laths widen and carbide precipitates grow. The results indicate that welding heat input should be taken into consideration and controlled in practical CLAM steel welding process applications.