The effect of helium on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Fe-Cr-Ni alloys as determined in a spectral tailoring experiment

Fe-15Cr-XNi alloys irradiated at both low (0.66 to 1.2) and very high (27 to 58) helium/dpa levels exhibit significantly different levels of strengthening due to an unprecedented refinement of cavity microstructure at the very high helium levels. When compounded with the nickel dependence of helium generation, the cavity distribution for some irradiation conditions and alloy compositions can be driven below the critical radius for bubble-to-void conversion, leading to a delay in swelling. The critical radius also appears to be dependent on the nickel level. The refinement may not have resulted from the high helium levels alone, however but also may have been influenced by differences in displacement rate and temperature history in the two experiments

Silicon`s role in determining swelling in neutron-irradiated Fe-Cr-Ni-Si alloys

Two silicon-modified alloy series, one based on Fe-15Cr-20Ni and another based on Fe-15Cr-25Ni were irradiated at target temperatures between 399 and 649{degree}C in EBR-II. The influence of silicon on swelling is more complex than previously envisioned and indicates that silicon plays two or more competing roles while in solution. Radiation-induced formation of {gamma}{prime} (Ni{sub 3}Si) precipitates is dependent on silicon and nickel content, as well as temperature. Precipitation of {gamma}{prime} appears to play only a minor role in void formation