Effects of Helium Pre-Implantation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Of Irradiated 316 Stainless Steel

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimens of a First Core heat of 316 stainless steel, in both the solution annealed and 20% cold worked condition, were irradiated to 46 dpa at 420°C, to 49 dpa at 520°C, and to 34 dpa at 600°C in FFTF/;MOTA. Prior to irradiation, about half of the specimens were pre-implanted with approximately 100 appm of helium, and of these, several of the solution annealed and pre-implanted specimens were aged at 800°C for 2h. Post-irradiation density measurements showed small differences in density between the unimplanted alloys and their helium implanted counterparts. Microstructural observations on specimens irradiated at 420°C and 520°C showed relatively minor differences in defect distributions between the unimplanted and the helium implanted materials; in all cases the defect sizes and number densities were consistent with data in the literature. Where possible, irradiation hardening of the alloys was experimentally evaluated by microhardness and shear punch; experimentally obtained values were compared to values calculated using a computer model based on barrier hardening and the microstructural data. All methods indicated relatively small effects of helium implantation, and both measured and calculated values were in agreement with the range of values reported in the literature.