Effect of neutron irradiation on the mechanical properties and fracture mode of Cu/SS joints

A new series of irradiation tests on the second generation of joints manufa ctured in RF, EU, JA with the HIP method have been performed irradiation up to 0.4 dpa at 150 and 300 degreesC. Tensile tests and optical microscopy i nvestigations were performed. Tensile strength properties of the irradiated joints proved to be sufficien tly high. Thus, the joints display some strengthening after irradiation. In general, the neutron-irradiated 2nd generation Cu/SS joints show a highe r level of strength and, as opposed to the I st generation joints, do not r eveal the tendency to the brittle fracture at low levels of fracture stress of about 100 MPa.