• Completed the fabrication, installation, and testing of the Irradiation, Anneal, and Reirradiation (IAR) Facility, with dual reusable capsules, at the University of Michigan, Ford Nuclear Reactor (FNR). The IAR facility has been designed to maintain specimen temperatures at 288 °C within +/- two degrees during irradiation. The facility has operated successfully for ~ 5500 effective full power hours. NRC/ORNL Letter Report.
• Characterized the neutron field in the HSSI reusable irradiation facilities at the FNR. Using TORT, a 3-D neutron-transport code, measurements of radiometric monitors, and the FNR core power distribution, the exposure parameter distribution and displacements per atom (dpa) rate in iron were calculated. US NRC NUREG report.
• Performed an Atom Probe Tomographic characterization of the solute distribution in a neutron-irradiated and annealed pressure vessel steel weld. The size of the neutron-induced, Cu-enriched precipitates increased and the number density decreased upon isothermal annealing. The precipitates were also fond to be enriched in Ni and Mn at the precipitate-matrix interface. US NRC NUREG report.
• Completed a major irradiation campaign at the FNR using a German high-copper weld to evaluate curve-shape effects and the assumption of constant shape of the fracture-toughness transition-temperature region. This is an important test of the fracture-toughness, master-curve method. Testing has begun.
• Completed a major irradiation campaign at the FNR to (1) evaluate the effects of temper embrittlement on the coarse-grained, heatÐaffected zone in RPV steels and (2) examine the effects of reirradiation on KJc and KIa in order to evaluate the relative changes in the recovery and reembrittlement between CVN and fracture-toughness properties and a detailed examination of the reembrittlement rates. Testing has begun.
• Completed the installation of the CNC machining facility and demonstrated its capabilities on material from the decommissioned Japan Power Demonstration Reactor. NRC/ORNL Letter Report.

• 1999 George R. Irwin Award
  Donald E. McCabe, retired 1/31/00

The ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture presents the award to an individual, inside or outside of the Society, who has made a significant new contribution to the application of fracture mechanics concepts and methodology to the understanding and solving of practical engineering problems. Professor George Irwin, the third winner of the award named in his honor, was the driving force in the development of the theory of linear-elastic fracture mechanics and is considered to be the father of fracture mechanics. The Irwin Award was presented to Don "in recognition of his pioneering efforts in developing methodologies and standards for practical applications of fracture mechanics, especially those related to crack-growth resistance curves and fracture toughness of ferritic steels in the transition range." Don is the 13th person to win this prestigious award since it was inaugurated 20 years ago. Don was a member of the Fracture Mechanics Group in the Metals and Ceramics Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory until February 2000. His work at ORNL was supported over the last 10 years by the US NRC, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research through the Heavy-Section Steel Irradiation and Heavy-Section Steel Technology Programs.

• 1999 ASTM E-08 Committee Awards of Appreciation
  Donald E. McCabe, retired 1/31/00

The Awards of Appreciation were given to Don for his concerted efforts in two important areas to the E-08 Committee on Fatigue and Fracture. Specifically, they are: "For his sustained and effective leadership of Task Group E-08.07.02 on R-Curve Determination" and "For his outstanding and invaluable contributions to the development of Standard Test Method E-1921 for the Determination of Reference Temperature for Ferritic Steels in the Transition Range." (Master Curve)

• 1999 Donald E. McCabe Earned Value Man of the Year Award
  Donald E. McCabe, retired 1/31/00

This award recognizes outstanding and sustained commitment to accurate and timely analyses of work performed to achieve subtask milestones