A novel prediction method of irradiation embrittlement in reactor pressure vessels (RPV) steels is proposed in this work in order to improve the current materials selection methods for nuclear power applications. This work describes a new approach, based on a decision algorithm called stringency level method (SLM), for quantifying the stringency of chemical and mechanical requirements of the most relevant structural materials used in the manufacturing of all generations of RPVs. More than 200 different technological requirements from 20 different material specifications are analyzed. Additionally, we compare the outputs obtained from SLM with the embrittlement prediction model proposed by American regulatory guide 1.99 (R.G. 1.99 Rev.2). From this integrated approach, the final results show that steel DIN 20MnMoNi55 is the best material option, followed by WWER 15Kh2MFAA and SA-533 Gr.B Cl.1. Thus, more recently developed materials exhibit requirements more stringent than earlier developed materials… See all…