Study of Oxide-Dispersion-Strengthened Ferritic Steels after Ion Implantation

This paper is focused on four different commercial oxide-dispersion-strengthened ferritic steels (MA 956, ODM 751, MA 957 and ODS Eurofer) with different chromium content and the change of their microstructure after helium ion implantation. The samples were implanted with kinetic energy of ions up to 500 keV and the implantation depth was up to 1.2 μm. The implantation was performed at Institute of Nuclear and Physical Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. The samples were observed prior and after the implantation by positron Doppler broadening spectroscopy with slow positron beam (energy up to 36 keV) which is one of the most suitable techniques due to its sensitivity to surface and subsurface layers up to 1.6 μm. The results showed visible change of defect presence in all samples and defect depth profiles are in a good accordance with SRIM software calculations displaying the Bragg peak. According to measured data, ODS Eurofer (9% Cr) seems to be the most radiation resistant from the group of all investigated steels and MA 956 (20% Cr) as the most radiation affected steel

Thermal Annealing Influence on Ions Implanted Fe-Cr Model Alloys

Binary Fe-11.62wt%Cr alloys were investigated in as-received state as well as after a two step helium ion implantation at different energies (100 keV and 250 keV) with doses up to 3.12xl018 cm-2. In order to study changes in alloys in dependence on the temperature, thermal annealing was performed at temperatures of 400, 475, 525 and 600 °C and specimens were afterwards measured by a pulsed low energy positron system (PLEPS). Annealing out of defects at lower temperatures was not as significant as expected, and we also encountered difficulties with defect identification. However, an apparent decrease of defect size was observed in the specimen annealed at a temperature of 600 °C.JRC.F.4-Nuclear Reactor Integrity Assessment and Knowledge Managemen

Different chromium content and thermal annealing influence on ions implanted Fe-Cr model alloys

Reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels (RAFM) represented by binary Fe-Cr alloys, with different chromium content, were studied in as-received state as well as after helium ions implantation. In order to study changes in dependence on the temperature, thermal annealing of He ions implanted Fe-11.62%Cr specimens was performed. Measurements by Pulsed Low Energy Positron System (PLEPS) in Garching, Germany were performed afterwards. Annealing out of defects at lower temperatures was not significant as was expected and some uncertainties are present. Extensive decrease of positron lifetime of defects was observed in specimens annealed at temperature 600 ºC.JRC.F.4-Nuclear Reactor Integrity Assessment and Knowledge Managemen