Neutron irradiation effects on the mechanical properties of HY-80 steel. Master's thesis
HY-80 steel is a high strength steel used by the U.S. Navy in constructing nuclear-submarine hulls. The need to know the effects of neutron irradiation on its mechanical properties is evident because the steel will acquire a fast-neutron dose over the lifetime of the vessel. Future construction of reactor vessels and components is expected to rely, to a higher degree, on the use of these high-strength-steel alloys. The mechanical properties of HY-80 steel is affected by neutron irradiation when bombarding neutrons collide with the material's atomic structure. Radiation defects caused by this damage hinder or prevent dislocation movement through the structure, which in turn hardens the steel. Previous research on this subject has concluded that irradiation levels on the order of 3 X 10/sup 19/ n/sq cm can increase the steel's strength by as mush as 50%, and raise its ductile-brittle transition temperature several hundred degrees. Few previous studies have shown measurable effects on the mechanical properties of HY-80 steel if irradiation levels are below 1 X 10/sup 17/ n/sq cm. The research discussed in this paper found that irradiation levels of 5 X 10/sup 17/ n/sq cm do result in measurable effects on the strength and hardness of HY-80 steel, and that increasing irradiation fluence levels increases the magnitude of these effects.
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
- OSTI ID:
- 6883765
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-174712/0/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
STEELS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
FAST NEUTRONS
HARDNESS
NEUTRON FLUENCE
NEUTRON FLUX
SHIPS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
ALLOYS
BARYONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION FLUX
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
360106* - Metals & Alloys- Radiation Effects
360103 - Metals & Alloys- Mechanical Properties