ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES OF IRRADIATED BERYLLIUM METAL
When beryllium is irradiated by fast neutrons, helium is produced by the (n,2n) and (n, alpha ) transmutation reactions. Electron microscopy techniques were used to study the nucleation and distribution of helium bubbles in several different grades of beryllium, after irradiation at temperatures in the range 75 to 700 deg C. The effect of post-irradiation annealing is also reported. It is shown that for similar neutron doses and irradiation temperatures, there were wide variations in helium bubble size and distribution in specimens of beryllium fabricated by different methods. The most satisfactory material was that fabricated from Pechiney powder by direct hot extrusion followed by annealing for one hour at 800 deg C and air cooling. It is suggested that the helium bubbles nucleate on second phase precipitates and that the distribution of this phase is strongly affected by fabrication and heat treatment. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Australia. Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment, Lucas Heights, New South Wales
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-031017
- OSTI ID:
- 4673260
- Report Number(s):
- AAEC/E-108
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
THE BEHAVIOUR OF HELIUM IN IRRADIATED BERYLLIUM
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE DURING IRRADIATION ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF HELIUM IN BERYLLIUM