IRRADIATION INDUCED CHANGES IN THE GRAIN-BOUNDARY CHEMISTRY OF HIGH-MANGANESE LOW ACTIVATION MARTENSITIC STEELS

The effects of neutron irradiation (10 dpa at 638 K, FFTF/MOTA) on solute segregation to the grain boundaries in high-manganese martensitic steels were investigated using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The AES spectrum obtained from the grain boundaries in martensitic steels was significantly influenced by neutron irradiation. Neutron irradiation caused a marked increase in the amount of intergranular segregation of manganese in 12%Cr-6%Mn-1%W steel, while no significant increases in sulfur and/or phosphorus segregations were found in the steel. In 9%Cr-2%Mn-1%W steel, a large amount of silicon as well as a small amount of manganese segregation at grain boundaries was induced by the irradiation. The following mechanisms of irradiation induced embrittlement are proposed; (1) neutron irradiation induced intergranular segregation of manganese causes a reduction of grain boundary cohesive force, (2) intergranular segregation of silicon reduces carbon concentration at grain boundaries by a site competition mechanism resulting in the weakening of the grain boundary strength. Another possible explanation involves grain boundary precipitation.