AbstractCastings to the ASME SA351 CF3 specification used in modern pressurised water reactor nuclear power stations are mainly austenitic, but contain up to 20% ferrite, and as a result are subject to loss of toughness in service at about 300°C. To show adequate end of life toughness, tests are being carried out on material with accelerated aging above 300°C. Data on the kinetics of embrittlement are required, and it must also be shown that the significant metallurgical changes are the same at both temperatures. The kinetics has been investigated using Charpy impact specimens aged at 300, 350, and 400°C and it has been related to the hardening of the ferrite and to the microstructural changes in this phase. The activation energies determined for the embrittlement, for the hardening of the ferrite, and for the underlying spinodal reaction in the ferrite are consistent with that for chemical diffusion in this system.MST/1187