Effects of tritium and decay helium on the fracture toughness properties of stainless steels

摘要

J-integral fracture mechanics techniques and scanning electron microscopy observations were used to investigate the effects of tritium and its decay product, helium-3, on Types 304L, 316L, 21-6-9, A286, and JBK-75 (Modified A286) stainless steels. Tritium-exposed samples of each steel had lower fracture toughness values and less resistance to stable crack growth than control samples. Type 316L stainless steel was more resistant to the embrittling effects of tritium and decay helium than the other steels.