Creation of radiation damages in metals and alloys by neutron generator

A method for creating of local damages in condensed materials is presented in relation to the development of new radiation resistant materials. The method consists in the generation of 14 MeV neutrons irradiating tritium target with deutrons accelerated up to 300 keV. Deutrons are produced by electrolysis of heavy water using Na2O2 or Na2SO4. The neutron flux is determined with activation detectors. Samples of 56Fe and 27Al have been irradiated with the 14 meV neutrons giving rise to the reactions (n,p), (n,α) and (n,2n). The quantity of radiation defects caused in this way is several times greater than the one formed by fission neutrons in equivalent fluxes. The method enables experimental measurement of the energy spectra of the initially displaced atoms for each channel of the reaction. It assures express analysis and minimum activation of the studied metal structure and possibility for exact determination of the reaction mechanism. 1 tab., 3 figs., 7 refs