Effect of electron/helium dual-beam irradiation on cavity formation in ferritic stainless steel

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 1986-11, Vol.141, p.758-762
• Main Authors: Ohnuki, S., Takahashi, H., Takeyama, T., Nagasaki, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrons and positron radiation effects; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Metals, semimetals and alloys; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Physical radiation effects, radiation damage; Physics; Specific materials; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-3115(86)90087-5

The effect of helium on cavity formation in a ferritic/martensitic stainless steel was investigated by electron irradiation with the simultaneous implantation of helium or pre-injection of helium. The electron irradiation were carried for damage levels to 20 dpa at temperatures of 620–770 K using a HVEM/ion-accelerator irradiation facility. Large cavities were formed with low number density on electron irradiation, whereas pre-injection of helium followed by electron irradiation caused the number density of small size cavities to be increased. In the case of duel-beam irradiation, a bi-modal size distribution of large and small cavities developed with the number density increasing gradually with increase of dose. These results indicate that the helium continuously injected during dual-beam irradiation enhances the nucleation of subcritical cavities without suppressing the conversion to bias-driven cavities.