ELEVATED TEMPERATURE EMBRITTLEMENT INDUCED IN A 20 PER CENT CHROMIUM: 25 PER CENT NICKEL: NIOBIUM STABILIZED AUSTENITIC STEEL BY IRRADIATION WITH THERMAL NEUTRONS

Journal Article · Sat Nov 23 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/200772a0· OSTI ID:4119464

Roberts, A C; Harries, D R

The mechanism responsible for radioinduced embrittlement in a double- vacuum-melted 20% Cr: 25% Ni: Nb stabilized steel was investigated. After thermal and fission neutron irradiation the specimens were tested at room temperature, 750 or 850 deg C at a strain rate of 2 x 10/sup -4/ sec/sup -1/ in a hard beam autographically recording dynamometer tensile machine operated remotely within a 4 ft thick concrete cell. With the possible exception of 0.2% proof stresses of the samples tested at 750 deg C, the stress values were not significantly affected by the irradiation; however, the elongations to fracture were markedly reduced at both test temperatures. The elevated temperature embrittlement is a function of the thermal neutron dose and cannot be correlated with the fission (or fast) neutron dose. This is in contrast to the room temperature point defect hardening and embrittlement that is dependent on the fast neutron dose. (P.C.H.)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-005830
• OSTI ID: 4119464
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 200
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AUSTENITE
BRITTLENESS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
FAST NEUTRONS
HARDNESS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRRADIATION
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
RADIATION DOSES
STAINLESS STEELS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL NEUTRONS