Modelling and measurement of structural changes in vibrating wire using high stresses and electrical pulse embrittlement procedure

Abstract The work aims to develop a monitor that tracks structural changes in materials as they occur. Long-term on-line measurement of such changes is useful in the nuclear power engineering, where reactor vessel materials are subjected to intense neutron irradiation and embrittle with prolonged irradiation. This paper describes studies where a tension of the order of tensile strength is applied to a wire-shaped specimen so that the wire material undergoes plastic deformation. A short current pulse is then applied through the wire, which causes embrittlement of the wire. Both processes are measured by means of changes in the natural frequency of a pre-tensioned wire, which serves as a test sample. Experimental results are presented for different ratios of wire pre-tension and short pulse energy, as well as for their cyclic repetition.