Interaction of radiation-induced defects with initial structure defects in metals and radiation strain hardening

The effect of 225 MeV electron irradiation at 77 and 320 K on the physical and mechanical properties of metals of different defect structures and different stacking fault energy is studied experimentally at 300 K. Data are presented for the Fe-3 % Si, Cu, Ni and Al. By measuring electric resistance, microhardness, coercive force of the amplitude-dependent internal friction and mechanical properties under tension it was shown a considerable influence of density, type, configuration, depth distribution and splitting degree of dislocations on accumulation and redistribution of radiation-induced defects. Mechanism governing the processes pf microplastic deformation are suggested. It is concluded that irradiation strain hardening of metals and alloys increases with stacking fault energy