Neutron-irradiation hardening in irons and ferritic steels

Abstract

Radiation hardening in α-iron and mild and low-alloy ferritic steels is comprehensively reviewed and rationalized in te rms of the neutron damage production mechanisms and the migration, impurity trapping, and clustering behaviour of the resulting vacancies and interstitials. The effects of the principal metallurgical (grain size, initial strength, purity) and irradiation (neutron dose, dose rate, spectrum, irradiation temperature) variables on the magnitude of the hardening are described and are discussed in terms of these basic processes. The deformation characteristics of the irradiated materials and the post-irradiation recovery of the hardening are also considered. Finally, an account is presented of the analyses of the rate-controlling deformation mechanisms after irradiation.