Point Defect Formation in V-4Cr-4Ti and F82H Irradiated with Fission and Fusion Neutrons

Abstract

Vacancies and interstitial type dislocation loops of two fusion reactor candidate materials (V-4Cr-4Ti and F82H) after fission and fusion neutron irradiation were studied by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Fusion neutron irradiation was performed in the FNS of JAERI, and fission neutron irradiation was performed in the KUR of Kyoto University. The neutron irradiation dose was about 1×10−6–1×10−4 dpa, and the irradiation temperatures were room temperature and 673 K. In the irradiation at room temperature, the defects (mainly dislocation loops) in both alloys were detected even at a low irradiation dose of 10−6 dpa and the mean lifetime of positrons increased as the irradiation dose increased. The effects of the fission and fusion neutron irradiation on the point defect production were almost the same if they were compared at the same dpa. This can be explained by the fact that the number of subcascades, which is an important factor for the defect formation at room temperature, is proportional to dpa in these metals. In contrast, an effect of cascade size was found for the irradiation at 673 K. Dislocation loops were detected only in the fusion-neutron-irradiated F82H at 673 K.