TWIN ASTIR: First tensile results of T91 and 316L steel after neutron irradiation in contact with liquid lead-bismuth eutectic

摘要

The TWIN ASTIR irradiation program [1] was aimed at determining the separate and possibly synergistic effects of a liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) environment and neutron irradiation. The materials in one capsule were irradiated in contact with LBE to a dose of about 1.5 dpa at a temperature between 460 and 490 degrees C and subsequently tested in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic environment at temperatures between 200 degrees C and 450 degrees C. This paper discusses the tensile results of 191 and 316L with and without irradiation while in contact with liquid lead-bismuth eutectic. The ferritic-martensitic T91 was softened by 50100 MPa while the austenitic 316L steel showed a slight decrease in total elongation. Although no irradiation hardening was observed at the elevated irradiation temperature, the ferritic-martensitic T91 steel was prone to a certain extent of liquid metal embrittlement at 200 degrees C, 350 degrees C and 450 degrees C which was not affected by irradiation. The decrease in total elongation of the 316L is thought to be due to the neutron irradiation effect.