DAMAGE STRUCTURES AND PRECIPITATION IN ELECTRON-IRRADIATED IRON-CHROMIUM ALLOYS

Precipitation and compositional changes in iron-chromium solid solutio n alloys due to irradiation by 2 MeV electrons have been studied by hi gh-voltage electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscop y. The distinct solute segregation was not observed at irradiation tem peratures below 773 K. At 873 K, chromium solutes were enriched by the irradiation at grain boundaries. Thinning of specimens by sputterings due to irradiation was also observed at 873 K. The radiation-induced homogeneous precipitation was observed, although the phase of the prec ipitates was not identified. It is noteworthy that iron-chromium alloy s show spinodal decomposition in high concentrations.