Nano-hardening features in high-dose neutron irradiated Eurofer97 revealed by atom-probe tomography

Abstract High dose (15 and 32 dpa), 300–330 °C neutron irradiated Eurofer97 samples (WTZ, ARBOR-I and SPICE campaigns) have been analysed using atom probe tomography. Segregation of solutes (Si, P, Mn and sometimes Cr and Ni) has been observed at dislocation loops, dislocation lines, grain boundaries and sometimes forming clusters. The decorated objects are extensively surrounded by “Mn clouds”. Around the “Mn clouds” a high density population of spherical CrMn-rich clusters which nucleate sometimes at the Cr-rich border of dislocation loops has been revealed. Finally, considering the density and size of (i) decorated DLs, (ii) voids, (iii) CrMn-rich clusters and (iv) precipitates, the increase of the yield stress has been assessed based on a quadratic superposition of Orowan models.