Influence of high-dose Kr+ irradiation on structural evolution and swelling of 16Cr-15Ni-3Mo-1Ti aging steel

Austenitic (16Cr-15Ni-3Mo-1Ti, 16Cr-15Ni-3Mo) stainless steels have been ex posed to Kr+ irradiation (E = 1.5 MeV, T-irr = 500-700 degrees C, dose - up to 200 dpa) to compare with fast neutron irradiation (E > 0.1 MeV, T-irr = 480-500 degrees C, dose - up to 60 dpa). Structural evolution, concentrati on changes and void formation were investigated. It was found that structur al transformations in these steels are in qualitative agreement under Kr+ a nd fast neutron irradiation. High resistance to swelling of aging stainless steel with 1% Ti is explained by the presence of both indirect point-defec t sinks (gamma' precipitates) and thermally stable direct dislocation sinks pinned by dispersed particles under irradiation. (C) 1999 Published by Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.