A study on the microstructure and mechanical property of proton irradiated A508-3 steel

Transmission electron microscopy and the nanoindentation technique were employed to study the dislocation loops and hardening induced in proton irradiated A508-3 steel. The A508-3 steel specimens were irradiated to the dose of 0.054, 0.163, 0.271 dpa at room temperature (RT), 0.163 pa at 250 degrees C and 0.163, 0.271 dpa at 290 degrees C. The effect of dose and temperature on the dislocation loops and irradiation hardening was investigated. The results indicated that the dislocation loops were formed in proton irradiated A508-3 steel. The size and number density generally increased with increasing dose at RT. When the irradiation temperature changed from RT to 290 degrees C, the loop size increased and the loop number density decreased. The irradiation hardening increased with dose. The effect of temperature on the irradiation induced hardening was discussed. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.