Abstract
The fracture characteristics of 20% cold worked Type 316 stainless steel irradiated at 377–400°C to a fluence of 11 × 1022n/cm2 (E > 0.1 MeV) were evaluated based on SEM fractography andJ-integral fracture toughness data. Compact tension specimens were tested at temperatures ranging from 232 to 649°C. A significant reduction in fracture toughness after irradiation was observed, which correlated well with the fracture morphology of the material. It was found that irradiation induces a shift in the transgranular-intergranular fracture transition temperature to a lower temperature. Irradiated specimens exhibited transgranular channel fracture from 232 to 538°C and intergranular fracture at 649°C, while unirradiated specimens failed in a transgranular ductile fracture mode up to 549°C. SEM fractographs revealed plate-like, faceted fracture surfaces of irradiated specimens. The faceted fracture appearance is associated with flow localization and dislocation channeling, phenomena that undoubtedly contribute to the decrease in fracture toughness. The possibility that ordered γ′-phase particles are partially responsible for the reduced toughness as well as for irradiation hardening is discussed.
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