Abstract
Abstract Since their onset, additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are experiencing substantial growth in their development and practical applications in various industries. AM components of different materials are in demand for building next generation advanced nuclear reactors. In this study, Inconel 625 (IN625) samples fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) AM process were subjected to two types of neutron irradiation experiments. Samples were first irradiated for a continuous 310 hours using full spectrum neutrons, ranging in energy from thermal to fast. Secondly, another set of samples were exposed to 7–17 weeks of only fast neutron irradiations in short sessions. The total fluence experienced during full spectrum and fast neutron irradiations were 7.37 × 1019 neutrons/cm2 and 2.74 × 1015−6.61 × 1015 neutrons/cm2 respectively. Along with L-PBF IN625 samples, wrought IN625 samples were used as a reference material in both radiation experiments. The effect of radiation damage in the form of radiation hardening or embrittlement was quantified by measuring microhardness before and after irradiation. In general, irrespective of neutron irradiation type, results indicate the AM IN625 samples showed more resistance towards radiation hardening or embrittlement defect compared to its counterparts wrought IN625 samples. The results reported in this study will increase the confidence in adopting AM technologies to build critical advance nuclear components in the future.
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