Radiation-induced ageing in structural materials

Results of an investigation of the structure and phase constitution of ferritic steels, austenitic steels and 45% Ni alloys after thermal ageing prior neutron irradiation, prior helium ingection and during irradiation are presented. Ageing after preirradiation and particular during irradiation is shown to result in the precipitation of phases differing from the ones at thermal ageing in both morphology and size, density and type. Ageing induced hardening of candidate materials for fusion is discussed