Irradiation enhanced decomposition of a nickel-carbon solid solution☆☆☆

Abstract This investigation was performed to determine the effects of room temperature neutron irradiation on the distribution of carbon in a nickel-0.3 wt.% carbon alloy. The experiment consisted of comparing the amount of carbon in solid solution and the internal stresses of both unirradiated and irradiated (10 13 fn - cm −2 Φ F 18 fn - cm −2 ) samples following isochronal anneals between 100 and 1200°C by using the magnetic disaccommodation technique. The results indicate that the amount of carbon remaining in solid solution decreases with increasing neutron dose. At temperatures below 200°C this is due to the trapping of carbon by mobile irradiation-produced defects. Between 200 and 600°C the formation of metastable carbides is enhanced by the presence of irradiation-produced defects. No differences are observed in irradiated and unirradiated samples above 600°C.