Study of austenitic steel 16Cr15Ni microstructure after helium ion irradiation along ion trajectory

M.S. Staltsov; P.Z. Ngcobo; C.L. Ndlangamandla; S.C. Masikane; S. Ngongo; H. Nyembe; I.I. Chernov; M.K. Tirago

doi:10.63907/ansa.v2i3.93

Authors

M.S. Staltsov National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Moscow, Russia
P.Z. Ngcobo University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2577-3558
C.L. Ndlangamandla University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa
S.C. Masikane University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8623-8818
S. Ngongo Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7921-687X
H. Nyembe Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8733-5222
I.I. Chernov National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Moscow, Russia
M.K. Tirago University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0254-3297

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63907/ansa.v2i3.93

Keywords:

Austenitic steel, ion irradiation, helium, gas swelling, porosity

Abstract

The paper investigates the microstructural evolution of 16Cr15Ni austenitic steel irradiated with 40~keV helium ions to a fluence of $5\times10^{20} \text{ m}^{-2}$. The effects of irradiation temperature and preliminary heat treatment on porosity and gas swelling were studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine steel samples irradiated at 50$^\circ\text{C}$ and annealed at 750$^\circ\text{C}$ for 1~h, as well as quenched samples and samples annealed after quenching and subsequently irradiated at an elevated temperature of 650$^\circ\text{C}$.

The highest gas swelling was observed in the sample annealed after quenching and subjected to subsequent high-temperature irradiation, whereas the lowest swelling was found in the quenched sample. The microstructure and porosity parameters of samples prepared for TEM by the focused ion beam (FIB) method were also compared with those of samples prepared by single-sided electrolytic thinning. The FIB-prepared samples showed somewhat higher porosity and swelling parameters, suggesting that this preparation method provides a more accurate characterization of the degree of radiation damage and irradiation-induced effects.

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