Light-ion irradiation experiments in National Research Institute for Metals

National Research Institute for Metals (NRIM) has primarily focused in the mechanical testings under ion bombardment. (creep, fatigue, and fracture toughness are planned). For the purpose of carrying out those objectives, light ion cyclotron is thought one of the most suitable as an accelerator. NRIM installed AVF-type cyclotron with some modification accomodating to the irradiation testing. From the characteristics of produced particles, NRIM's cyclotron is expected to simulate fusion irradiation environment properly. Irradiation creep experiment was started in 1986. An important and difficult point for the creep measurement is the control of specimen temperature under flucturing beam heating. The problem of this fluctuation was solved by employing forced convection of helium and DC. heating. Fe-25Ni-15Cr and 316 SS have been preliminarily investigated concerning mechanism of the phase stability and the post-helium-implantation creep, etc. Fe-25Ni-15Cr was made into platelets of 0.087 x 2.5 x 20 mm3 and 316 SS was drawn into wire of 0.8 mm in diameter. Results of preliminary experiments are as follows. For Fe-25Ni-15Cr, 1) Ni of 25 % does not improve creep resistance, 2) Minor element like Ti is important in suppressing the creep, 3) SIPA and PAG model explain the stress dependence of creep qualitatively, and for 316 SS, 4) 0.025 dpa is required to reach steady-state creep, at 2.5 x 10-7 dpa/s, 300 deg C and 50 MPa, 5) The evolution of irradiation creep is sensitive to the damage rate, particularly in the low dpa range. (Ishimitsu, A.)