Stability of Cu precipitates in Fe–Cu model alloys irradiated at high temperatures with fission neutrons

Abstract

The formation and stability of Cu precipitates and point-defect clusters have been investigated in two Fe–Cu binary model alloys irradiated with fission neutrons at temperatures of 573 K and 673 K. The results of positron annihilation experiments indicate that Cu precipitates, microvoids and interstitial-type dislocation loops were formed after a first irradiation step at 573 K. A substantial aggregation of Cu atoms occurred upon irradiation at 673 K following the irradiation at 573 K. In addition, this second irradiation caused the interstitial-type dislocation loops and microvoids that formed as a result of the irradiation at 573 K to shrink and disappear.