TENSILE PROPERTIES OF TYPE-316L(N) STAINLESS-STEEL IRRADIATED TO 10 DISPLACEMENTS PER ATOM

The tensile properties of neutron irradiated type 316L(N) plate and EB welded material have been measured between 300 and 900 K. The test specimens were irradiated in the Petten High Flux Reactor up to 10 dpa at 500, 600, and 700 K. The tensile tests were performed at the conventional strain rate of 5x10(-4) s(-1). Additional experiments have been performed at strain rates of 10(-6) and 10(-2) s(-1) at 850 and 900 K respectively. An increase in tensile strength of about 600 MPa was observed for irradiation temperatures of 500 and 600 K, with a corresponding loss of ductility. Less irradiation hardening was observed for an irradiation temperature of 700 K. The irradiation-induced increase in tensile strength saturated at 5 dpa. The irradiated material appeared to be strain-rate sensitive at a test temperature of 900 K.