Pulsed fusion grade deuterium plasma induced structural phase transformation in stainless steel using medium energy plasma focus device

Samples of ferrite -austenite stainless steel (SS) have been exposed to fusion grade plasma and radiations using a medium energy plasma focus device, ‘MEPF-12’. Three different polished samples of SS (10 mm diameter ×2 mm thick) were irradiated using single and multiple ( five and ten) plasma focus discharges. Each plasma focus discharge comprised energetic and high intensity deuterium ions, energetic deuterium plasma streams and 2.45 MeV neutrons produced via D(d, 3He)n fusion reactions. At sample position, typical values of deuterium ion fluence and neutron fluence were measured to be ∼1018ions/m2 and ∼1010 neutrons/m2, respectively, in each plasma focus discharge. Post irradiations, the samples have been characterized using different techniques for study of their surface modification characteristics, specifically, crystallinity, surface morphologies and surface roughness. The XRD analysis of the SS sample exposed to single or more plasma focus discharges revealed structural phase transformation from initial mixed ferrite [α(BCC)] -austenite [γ(FCC)] phase to austenite phase. Effects of deuterium ion concentration and transient rise in surface temperature on structural phase transformation have been discussed in detail. Surface morphologies studied using SEM has revealed erosion, melting and recrystallization of surface layer along with various other defects like pores, blisters, open bubbles and so on. Measurements using surface profilometer confirmed increase in surface roughness of the samples on irradiation. Detail discussion on the variation in the surface damage features with increasing number of plasma focus discharges used for irradiating samples and its comparison with virgin sample have been included in this report.