Ion irradiation-induced precipitation of Cr23C6 at dislocation loops in austenitic steel

The irradiation-induced precipitates in argon ion-irradiated austenitic stainless steel at 550 °C were examined via transmission electron microscopy. The selected-area electron diffraction patterns of precipitates indicated unambiguously that the precipitates were Cr23C6 carbides. It was observed directly for the first time that irradiation-induced Cr23C6 precipitates formed at dislocation loops in austenitic stainless steel, and coarsened with increasing irradiation dose.