Irradiation hardening of ferritic steels: Effect of composition

Irradiation of ferritic steels with neutrons in the temperture range of room temperature to ∝ 450deg C results in lattice hardening, which causes an increase in strength and a decrease in ductility. Eight reduced-activation Cr-W-V stels with chromium concentration varying from 2.25 to 12% were irradiated at 365deg C to ∝ 7 dpa in the Fast Flux Test Facility. A steel with 2.25% Cr and the combination of 2% W and 0.25% V hardened less than those containing vanadium or tungsten alone or a steel with 1% W and 0.25% V. The amount of hardening was similar for Cr-W-V steels with constant vanadium and tungsten concentrations and containing 2.,25, 5, and 9% Cr; a steel with 12% Cr hardened considerably more. Specimens of two conventional Cr-Mo steels, 9Cr-1MoVNb and 12Cr-1MoVW, were also irradiated, and the hardening of these steels was similar to analogous reduced-activation steels. (orig.)