Neutron vs ion irradiation: Differences and similarities in the nano-structural evolution of Fe-Cr alloys irradiated at 300 deg. C

Document available in abstract form only, full text follows: The same four Fe-Cr model alloys have been neutron and ion irradiated at the same temperature (300 deg. C) up to comparable doses and the nano-structural changes have been investigated using different techniques, including TEM and APT for the nano-structure. The neutron irradiated alloys have also undergone extensive mechanical characterisation, while nano-indentation has been applied to the ion irradiated specimens, to evaluate the changes induced by irradiation in their mechanical behaviour. We show that the nano-structural evolution experienced by neutron and ion irradiated alloys is qualitatively and also quantitatively different, most likely as a consequence of the different dose rate, which is orders of magnitude higher with ions than with neutrons. However, qualitatively the trends observed in the dependence of the mechanical properties on Cr content remain similar. (authors)