Microstructural evolution of P92 ferritic/martensitic steel under Ar{sup +} ion irradiation at elevated temperature

Journal Article · Fri Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2012.03.009· OSTI ID:22066457

Shuoxue, Jin ^[1]; Tiecheng, Li; Jihong, Chen; Zheng, Yang; Fengfeng, Luo ^[1]; Rui, Tang ^[2]; Yanxin, Qiao; Feihua, Liu ^[3]

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1. Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education and School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China)
2. National Key Laboratory for Nuclear Fuel and Materials, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu 610041 (China)
3. Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute, Suzhou 215004 (China)

Irradiation damage in P92 ferritic/martensitic steel irradiated by Ar{sup +} ion beams to 7 and 12 dpa at elevated temperatures of 290 Degree-Sign C, 390 Degree-Sign C and 550 Degree-Sign C has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The precipitate periphery (the matrix/carbide interface) was amorphized only at 290 Degree-Sign C, while higher irradiation temperature could prevent the amorphization. The formation of the small re-precipitates occurred at 290 Degree-Sign C after irradiation to 12 dpa. With the increase of irradiation temperature and dose, the phenomenon of re-precipitation became more severe. The voids induced by irradiation were observed after irradiation to 7 dpa at 550 Degree-Sign C, showing that high irradiation temperature ({>=} 550 Degree-Sign C) was a crucial factor which promoted the irradiation swelling. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed that segregation of Cr and W in the voids occurred under irradiation, which may influence mechanical properties of P92 F/M steel. - Graphical Abstract: High density of small voids, about 2.5 nm in diameter, was observed after irradiation to 12 dpa at 550 Degree-Sign C, which was shown in panel a (TEM micrograph). As shown in panel b (SEM image), a large number of nanometer-sized hillocks were formed in the surface irradiated at 550 Degree-Sign C, and the mean size was {approx} 30 nm. The formation of the nanometer-sized hillocks might be due to the voids that appeared as shown in TEM images (panel a). High irradiation temperature ({>=} 550 Degree-Sign C) was a crucial factor for the formation of void swelling. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Small carbides re-precipitated in P92 matrix irradiated to 12 dpa at 290 Degree-Sign C. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High density of voids was observed at 550 Degree-Sign C. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Segregation of Cr and W in voids occurred under irradiation.

• OSTI ID: 22066457
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Vol. 68, Issue Complete; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
AMORPHOUS STATE
ARGON IONS
ATOMIC DISPLACEMENTS
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
CARBIDES
CHROMIUM
FERRITIC STEELS
INTERFACES
ION BEAMS
IRRADIATION
MARTENSITIC STEELS
MICROSTRUCTURE
PRECIPITATION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SEGREGATION
SWELLING
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TUNGSTEN
VOIDS