The Combined Effects of Temperature and Irradiation on the Mechanical Properties of Austenitic Stainless Steels

Abstract

Work performed under Contract No. AT(45-1)-1830 between the Atomic Energy Commission and Battelle Memorial Institute

Effects of Neutron Radiation on Structural Materials.

“…Figure 64 illustrates the effect of irradiation on the roomtemperature yield strength and ductility. (134) xhe results indicate that a saturation in irradiation effects is reached after a fast fluence of about 2 x 10^0 n/cm^ if the irradiation is performed at 50 C. However, no saturation in irradiation effects is reached after a fast fluence of 1. 5 x 10^1 n/cm^ if the irradiation temperature is 290 C. The same trends, as far as saturation of irradiated effects, appear to take place for both the annealed and cold-worked (25 percent) material.…”

“…It was found that irradiation did not cause any detectable increase in ferrite content, as measured by magnetic susceptibility. (134) Predominantly Fast Fluence Tensile Properties. The effect of irradiation in a predominantly fast fluence on the tensile properties of Type 304 stainless steel is illustrated in Figure 72.…”

“…(134) However, irradiation in the 300 C temperature range has been found to result in no saturation of irradiation effects even after fast fluences of 1.4 x 10^1 n/cm^. (134) These irradiations in the 280 to 400 C range have been found to result in extremely low ductilities when the material is tested either at room temperature or in the 280-400 C range. These low ductilities are illustrated in Table 32.…”

“…Irradiation was found to cause no detectable increase in ferrite content, as measured by magnetic susceptibility. (134) Predominantly Fast Fluence Tensile Properties. The room-temperature tensile properties of Type 347 stainless steel which was part of the EBR-I core flow separation are given in Table 35.…”

Assessment of XM-19 as a Substitute for AISI 348 in ATR Service

“…1,2,3 There are, however, somewhat more published data on AISI 347, reaching both lower and higher exposures. 5,6,7 The perceived primary advantage of AISI 348 stainless steel in the nuclear community has been its lower activation due to lower levels of easily activated, long-lived impurities, especially Co.…”