Effects of low-temperature neutron irradiation on mechanical properties of vanadium-base alloys

Vanadium-base alloys were irradiated in three experiments to determine the effects of low-temperature neutron irradiation on their mechanical properties. The properties studied were tensile, Charpy impact and irradiation creep. The result of this study showed the alloys tested incurred significant hardening and embrittlement due to the irradiation. Heat-to-heat variations appeared to have little effect on hardening and embrittlement. Creep strains were measured from the specimens and a preliminary data set on creep strain rate was generated.