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THE EFFECT OF NUCLEAR RADIATION ON STRUCTURAL METALS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4823053
The effect of fast-neutron (>1 Mev) irradiation on the mechanical properties of structural metals and alloys has the nature that some properties show detrimental changes while others are enhanced by irradiation. Although the yield strengths and ultimate tensile strengths are increased substantially for most materials, the ductility suffers severe decreases. The changes in properties of several structural metals are presented for a number of neutron exposures within the 1.0 x 10/sup 18/ to 5.0 x 10/sup 21/ n cm/sup -2/ range. Data summarizing these effects on several classes of materials such as carbon steels, low-alloy steels, stainless steels, zirconium-base alloys, nickelbase alloys, aluminum-base alloys, and tantalum are given. Additional data which show the influence of irradiation temperatures and of post-irradiation annealing on the radiation-induced property changes are also given and discussed. Increases as great as 175% in yield strength, 100% in ultimate strength, and decreases of 80% in total elongation are reported for fast-neutron exposures as great as 5 x 10 /sup 21/ n cm/sup -2/. The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of carbon and low-alloy steels is increased as much as 400 deg F, for similar exposures. The data are tabulated for individual metals and alloys. An annotated bibliography of radiation effects publications on structural metals and alloys is included. (auth)
Research Organization:
Battelle Memorial Inst. Radiation Effects Information Center, Columbus, Ohio
NSA Number:
NSA-16-000572
OSTI ID:
4823053
Report Number(s):
REIC-20
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

ALLOYS
ALUMINUM ALLOYS
ANNEALING
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BRITTLENESS
CARBON STEELS
DUCTILITY
FAST NEUTRONS
IRRADIATION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NICKEL ALLOYS
RADIATION EFFECTS
STAINLESS STEELS
TABLES
TENSILE PROPERTIES
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS