The effects of long-time irradiation and thermal aging on 304 stainless steel

The effect of long-time irradiation and thermal aging on the tensile, fract ure, and swelling properties of 304 stainless steel were studied. Samples o f cold-worked and annealed 304 were irradiated in EBR-II at temperatures be tween 371-400 degreesC or thermally aged in the EBR-II primary core basket at 371 degreesC for times up to 18 years. Samples of annealed steel were ir radiated in rows 4 and 12 of EBR-II to determine the effect of dose rate. N o significant changes in tensile properties or density occurred in cold-wor ked thermally aged steel. For samples irradiated near 370 degreesC, decreas ing the dose rate caused an increase in swelling and had no measurable effe ct on tensile properties. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.