THE EFFECT OF NEUTRON IRRADIATION ON BERYLLIUM METAL
A summary is given of all the results obtained to date from a programme on the effects of neutron irradiation on the properties of beryllium metal. Results are presented on changes in density and mechanical properties in material fabricated by various routes and irradiated to fast neutron doses from 10/sup 19/ to 6 x 10/sup 20/ nvt and at temperatures in the range 75 to 700 deg C. Summaries of electron microscopy observations and electrical resistivity messurements, which are reported in more detail elsewhere, are also given. It is concluded that all the observed property changes can be interpreted in terms of the distribution of helium which is produced by fast neutron transmutation reactions in beryllium and that damage due to defect production is negligible for irradiation temperatures of 75 deg C and sbove. Density changes due to helium bubbpe formation are shown to be very small but serious deterioration of mechanical properties can occur. The mechanical property changes and the distribution of helium are shown to be very dependent on material history and on the irradiation temperature. The standard Lucas Heights hot extruded material is shown to retain goond mechanical properties for irradiation temperatures above 550 deg C but serious loss of low temperature ductility is found to occur for irradiation temperatures below 500 deg C, particularly in the range 300 to 500 deg C. It is concluded that nucleation of gas bubbles at precipitate particles is the only satisfactory explanation of the wide variations in behavior of beryllium metal fabricated by various methods. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Australia. Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment, Lucas Heights, New South Wales
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-041480
- OSTI ID:
- 4629381
- Report Number(s):
- AAEC/E-109
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BUBBLES
DEFECTS
DENSITY
DISTRIBUTION
DUCTILITY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EXTRUSION
FABRICATION
FAST NEUTRONS
GASES
HELIUM
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MEASURED VALUES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NEUTRON BEAMS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEATE BOILING
PARTICLES
PRECIPITATION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
TEMPERATURE
VARIATIONS