Microstructural interpretation of the fluence and temperature dependence of the mechanical properties of irradiated AISI 316. [Neutron irradiation]

The effects of neutron irradiation on the mechanical properties of annealed and 20 perecent cold-worked AISI 316 irradiated in the experimental breeder reactor II were determined for the temperature regime of 370 to 760 degree C for fluences up to 8.4 X 10/sup 22/ neutrons (n)/cm/sup 2/ (E>0.1 MeV). Observations are explained in terms of the fluence and temperature dependence of the irradiation-induced microstructure. Very good agreement between the observed data and calculated strengths was obtained for both solution-annealed and cold-worked AISI 316 through the use of simple hardening expressions for each type of microstructural defect.