Effect of severe plastic deformation on radiation hardening of T91 ferritic-martensitic steel

Effect of thermomechanical treatment on radiation hardening behavior in T91 ferritic-martensitic steel was evaluated. An applying of severe plastic deformation (SPD) by the "upsetting-extrusion" method and subsequent heat treatment led to a considerable grain refinement, crushing of martensite lamellas, reduction of MX carbides size and their more uniform distribution. Nanoindentation measurements of SPD-modified steel revealed a 1.4-fold increase in the hardness relative to the initial steel. Irradiation response of modified steel was examined after 1.4 MeV Ar⁺ ion irradiations in the dose range of 10…45 displacements per atom (dpa) at room temperature and 460 °C. Microstructure characterization was performed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that dislocation loops and nano-sized argon bubbles dominated the damage microstructure after ion irradiation. The effects of SPD-induced transformations as well as nano-bubbles formation are discussed regarding to the hardening phenomenon observed in irradiated steel. (author)