The Effect of Neutron Irradiation On The Structure And Properties Of Low-Carbon Alloy Steels

Specimens of three heat-treatable steels with the following nominal compositions: (1) 17% Cr, 2% Ni, 0·1% C; (2) 13% Cr, 00·2 % C; and (3) 1% Cr, 00·2% Mo, 00·3% C; and (4) a non heat-treatable steel 17% Cr, 00·1% C, stabilized with niobium, were irradiated with fast neutrons at temperatures of 700° and 500-6000°C.

As a result of irradiation at 5000°-6000°C the mechanical properties of all the heat-treatable steels were changed. No such changes were observed in the non heat-treatable steel. A metallographic investigation indicated that the increase in tensile strength of the steels during irradiation at 500°-600°C was due to changes in structure. The authors suggest that the observed micro-structural changes were caused by the occurrence of “displacement spikes” in the irradiated material.