Abstract
Fractographic and microstructural examinations were performed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively, and correlated, for the thermally sensitized 304 stainless steel (SS) irradiated to 1.2×10 21 n/cm 2 ( E>1 MeV) in BWR condition and fractured intergranularly in 290 °C inert gas. Intergranular (IG) cracks were present in the specimen surface region and the fracture surface periphery. The fractography showed IG facets decorated with various patterns of linear features/steps. The microstructures of the surface region revealed linear features/deformation twinning near grain boundaries and microtwins at grain boundaries. The linear features identified on the [1 1 1] habit plane varied depending on deformation levels. The high number density of microtwins evidences a high local stress and strain concentration, which may nucleate and initiate at the impingement of deformation twins and grain boundaries. Therefore we conclude that a mechanism causing the IG cracking mechanically in non-aqueous environment is present in the highly irradiated austenitic SS.
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