Microstructural evolution in an austenitic stainless steel fusion reactor first wall
A detailed rate-theory-based model of microstructural evolution under fast neutron irradiation has been developed. The prominent new aspect of this model is a treatment of dislocation evolution in which Frank faulted loops nucleate, grow and unfault to provide a source for network dislocations while the dislocation network can be simultaneously annihilated by a climb/glide process. The predictions of this model compare very favorably with the observed dose and temperature dependence of these key microstructural features over a broad range. This new description of dislocation evolution has been coupled with a previously developed model of cavity evolution and good agreement has been obtained between the predictions of the composite model and fast reactor swelling data as well. The results from the composite model also reveal that the various components of the irradiation-induced microstructure evolve in a highly coupled manner. The predictions of the composite model are more sensitive to parametric variations than more simple models. Hence, its value as a tool in data analysis and extrapolation is enhanced.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); California Univ., Santa Barbara (USA). Dept. of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400; AS03-82ER52081
- OSTI ID:
- 5759835
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-860421-30; ON: DE86010395
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ALLOYS
AUSTENITIC STEELS
BARYON REACTIONS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
FIRST WALL
HADRON REACTIONS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
IRRADIATION
MICROSTRUCTURE
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
STEELS
SWELLING
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR WALLS