Abstract
Duplex stainless steel has been used as a structural material for light water reactors. It is well known that the thermal aging during operation causes spinodal decomposition to Cr-rich (α') phase and Fe-rich (α) phase in the ferrite phase, resulting in brittlement. In order to understand the mechanism of this phenomena and the effect of irradiation, a duplex model alloy (Fe-25Cr-10Ni-2.5Mo-1Mn) prepared by arc melting and thermally aged in the appropriate condition was subjected to accelerated irradiation by a multi-beam ultra-high voltage electron microscope and partially an ion accelerator in this study. Spinodal decomposition of Fe and Cr was confirmed in the model alloy aged at 450 °C. In addition, the electron beam irradiation to aged model alloy resulted in the decrease in the amplitude of spinodal decomposition. From this experiment, it was suggested that spinodal decomposition could be suppressed by accelerated irradiation.
Highlights
Duplex stainless steel has been used as a structural material for light water reactors due to its strength, irradiation resistance and corrosion resistance
The neutron irradiation may change the location of the phase fields in the phase diagram and effect on the decomposition process [7]
Miller et al investigated a neutron-irradiated Fe-32Cr by using atom probe field ion microscopy [8], and reported the enhancement of spinodal decomposition. This result is consistent with the neutron irradiation significantly changing the location of the phase field in the phase diagram
Summary
Duplex stainless steel has been used as a structural material for light water reactors due to its strength, irradiation resistance and corrosion resistance. Duplex stainless steel is consisted of ferrite phase and austenite phase. MD simulation for neutron-irradiated reactor pressure vessels indicated that the formation of displacement cascade would cause atomic mixing and this disordering could inhibit spinodal decomposition [6]. The neutron irradiation may change the location of the phase fields in the phase diagram and effect on the decomposition process [7]. Miller et al investigated a neutron-irradiated Fe-32Cr by using atom probe field ion microscopy [8], and reported the enhancement of spinodal decomposition. This result is consistent with the neutron irradiation significantly changing the location of the phase field in the phase diagram
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