Irradiation testing of 316l(N)-IG austenitic stainless steel for ITER

Abstract In the frame work of the European Fusion Technology Programme and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), ECN is investigating the irradiation behaviour of the structural materials for ITER. The main structural material for ITER is austenitic stainless steel Type 316L(N)-IG. The operating temperatures of (parts of) the components are envisaged to range between 350 and 700 K. A significant part of the dose–temperature domain of irradiation conditions relevant for ITER has already been explored, there is, however, very little data at about 600 K. Available data tend to indicate a maximum in the degradation of the mechanical properties after irradiation at this temperature, e.g. a minimum in ductility and a maximum of hardening. Therefore an irradiation program for plate material 316L(N)-IG, its Electron Beam (EB) weld and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) weld metal, and also including Hot Isostatically Pressed (HIP) 316L(N) powder and solid–solid joints, was set up in 1995. Irradiations have been carried out in the High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten at a temperature of 600 K, at dose levels from 1 to 10 dpa. The paper presents the currently available post-irradiation test results. Next to tensile and fracture toughness data on plate, EB and TIG welds, first results of powder HIP material are included.