K. Mulewska , D. Kalita , M. Wilczopolska , W. Chromiński , P.A. Ferreirós , Ł. Kurpaska
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Understanding the mechanical behavior of Fe-Cr alloys under irradiation is crucial for their application in nuclear environments. This study investigates the evolution of dislocation structures and their impact on the nanoindentation response of Fe-9Cr alloys in five distinct conditions: (1) non-irradiated pristine material, (2) non-irradiated material annealed at 300 °C, (3) material irradiated with 10 MeV Fe²⁺ ions to 5 dpa at room temperature, (4) material irradiated with 10 MeV Fe²⁺ ions to 1 dpa at 300 °C, and (5) material irradiated with 10 MeV Fe²⁺ ions to 5 dpa at 300 °C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that irradiation at RT leads to a dense distribution of dislocation loops, which act as strong obstacles to dislocation glide, significantly increasing the critical stress required for plastic deformation. In contrast, irradiation at 300 °C results in a lower density of defects in the matrix, with dislocation loops observed near pre-existing dislocation lines. This defect configuration facilitates the formation of dislocation channels, reducing overall obstruction to dislocation motion and leading to a decrease in pop-in stress compared to RT-irradiated samples. However, despite the apparent increase in dislocation mobility, Cr-decorated dislocation loops in the 300 °C-irradiated sample act as pinning sites, impeding the contribution of pre-existing dislocations to plastic deformation and necessitating the nucleation of new dislocations. Recorded mechanical properties, together with microstructural evolution, provide critical insights into the mechanical response of Fe-Cr alloys, offering valuable implications for their performance in nuclear applications.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Nuclear Materials publishes high quality papers in materials research for nuclear applications, primarily fission reactors, fusion reactors, and similar environments including radiation areas of charged particle accelerators. Both original research and critical review papers covering experimental, theoretical, and computational aspects of either fundamental or applied nature are welcome.
The breadth of the field is such that a wide range of processes and properties in the field of materials science and engineering is of interest to the readership, spanning atom-scale processes, microstructures, thermodynamics, mechanical properties, physical properties, and corrosion, for example.
Topics covered by JNM
Fission reactor materials, including fuels, cladding, core structures, pressure vessels, coolant interactions with materials, moderator and control components, fission product behavior.
Materials aspects of the entire fuel cycle.
Materials aspects of the actinides and their compounds.
Performance of nuclear waste materials; materials aspects of the immobilization of wastes.
Fusion reactor materials, including first walls, blankets, insulators and magnets.
Neutron and charged particle radiation effects in materials, including defects, transmutations, microstructures, phase changes and macroscopic properties.
Interaction of plasmas, ion beams, electron beams and electromagnetic radiation with materials relevant to nuclear systems.