Microstructural evolutions in tempered martensitic steels (TMS) under neutron-irradiation, at fusion relevant He/dpa ratios and dpa rates, were characterized using a novel in situ He-implanter technique. F82H-mod3 was irradiated at 500 C in HFIR to a nominal 9 dpa and 190 or 380 appm He in both in the as-tempered (AT) and 20% cold-worked (CW) conditions. In all cases, a high number density of 1-2 nm He-bubbles were observed, along with fewer but larger 10 nm void-like faceted cavities. The He-bubbles form preferentially on dislocations and various interfaces. A slightly larger number of smaller He bubbles were observed in the CW condition. The lower He/dpa ratio produced slightly smaller and fewer He-bubbles. Comparisons of these observations to the results in nano-structured ferritic alloy (NFA) MA957 provide additional evidence that TMS may be susceptible to He-embrittlement as well as void swelling at fusion relevant He concentrations, while NFA are much more resistant to these degradation phenomena.
Revised: September 3, 2009 |
Published: April 30, 2009
Citation
Yamamoto T., G.R. Odette, P. Miao, D.J. Edwards, and R.J. Kurtz. 2009.Helium effects on microstructural evolution in tempered martensitic steels: In situ helium implanter studies in HFIR.Journal of Nuclear Materials 386.PNNL-SA-66972.