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U.S. Department of Energy
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Development of microstructural features during irradiation

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5649332

During elevated temperature irradiation with energetic neutrons, ions or electrons, the microstructure of alloys undergoes significant changes accompanied by corresponding changes in physical properties. The microstructural development is caused by the defect production throughout the material and the concurrent annihilation of the mobile point defects and small defect clusters on spatially discrete sinks such as dislocations, grain boundaries and voids. We review here the present understanding of the development of the radiation microstructure beyond the nucleation stage of stable defect clusters. After a short characterization of the dynamic state of a crystalline material during elevated temperature irradiation we discuss (a) the void swelling phenomenon; (b) radiation-enhanced, diffusion controlled processes such as precipitate coarsening; and (c) radiation-induced processes such as radiation-induced precipitation and spatial redistribution of phases in multiphase alloys.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
5649332
Report Number(s):
CONF-800205-10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English