The microstructure of rapidly solidified path a prime candidate alloys following irradiation with Fe and He ions

Abstract

A rapidly solidified,titanium modified, cold worked Type 316 stainless steel has been irradiated simultaneously with Fe and He ions at temperatures between 450 and 650°C. The material shows no void swelling at 450°C even at 50 dpa. At 550°C the swelling is very low below 40 dpa (<0.01%) but increases with fluence to 0.4% at 60 dpa. At 650°C both the cavity number density and size increase to give a swelling of 0.8% at 40 dpa. A conventionally ingot cast alloy with the same composition shows comparable swelling but the void number density in this material is significantly higher. Small (<200 Å) TiC particles which were originally present in the rapidly solidified material are dissolved at fluences above 40 dpa at all temperatures. A silicon and nickel rich phase has precipitated during irradiations at 550 and 650°C.