Void swelling of pure copper, Cu-5Ni and Cu-5Mn alloys irradiated with fast neutrons

Abstract

The effects of cold-work level and solute addition (nickel or manganese) on pure copper under fast neutron irradiation have been investigated. Neutron irradiation was conducted in the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) at temperatures from 638 to 873 K to doses ranging from 8 to 98 dpa. In pure copper, void swelling behavior was investigated as a function of cold-work levels. At 638 and 703 K, 10% cold-work reduced swelling somewhat with little influence at higher cold-work level. In comparison with pure copper, void swelling was suppressed by 5% nickel addition at 648 K but slightly increased at 696 K. Cu-5Mn resisted swelling in both annealed and 40% cold-worked specimens for all temperatures examined. At 648 K, void formation was not detected. Only stacking fault tetrahedra were observed in this specimen.