Positron annihilation studies of electron-irradiated F82H model alloys

Irradiation-induced vacancy defects in F82H model alloys were studied using positron lifetime measurements. It is shown that the presence of Cr and carbides in iron-based alloys prevents the formation of vacancy clusters. Divacancies are stabilized at room temperature by adding Cr to Fe. The suppression of void swelling by Cr can be explained by existing models. During the incubation period, elements such as W, V, and Ta have little effect on the evolution of point defect clusters in Fe–Cr based alloys those do not contain C. M23C6 plays an important role on void swelling resistance.