Defect structure of irradiated PH13-8Mo steel

PH13-8Mo bolts, which are considered for use in the ITER reactor, were irradiated up to doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 dpa. The microstructure was investigated with transmission electron microscopy and its evolution is discussed with reference to the mechanical properties. PH13-8Mo is a precipitation hardened martensitic steel, but a large amount of austenite has been observed as well. The precipitation hardening results from the formation of small coherent NiAl precipitates in the martensite phase. Their size, size distribution and density are found to be unaffected by neutron irradiation. The dislocations in the martensite phase are mainly a/2h 111 i type screw dislocations, whereas in the austenite phase mainly a/2h 110 i type screw dislocations are present. The line dislocation structure did not change during irradiation, but small irradiation induced defects were observed. Using the Orowan model, it is argued that the latter are responsible for the irradiation hardening.