Comparison of the in-reactor creep of selected ferritic, solid solution strengthened, and precipitation hardened commercial alloys

The results of an in-reactor creep experiment designed to compare the creep behavior of nine commercial alloy compositions and one modified composition in various heat treatments are presented. Data are reported for one temperature, 5400C, after accumulated nominal fluences of 2 and 4x1022n/cm2 (E>0.1 MeV). Selected ferritic, solid solution strengthened and precipitation hardened alloys of the Fe-Cr-Ni system were investigated. In general, the high strength precipitation hardened alloys have the greatest resistance to in-reactor creep. Thermomechanical heat treatments are shown to influence the creep behavior. The results when compared with a semi-empirical creep equation, suggest a possible interrrelation between irradiation creep and swelling. (Auth.)