Radiation induced microstructures in ODS 316 austenitic steel under dual-beam ions

An ODS 316 austenitic steel was fabricated and irradiated using dual ion beams (1 MeV Kr+ and 15 keV He+) with in-situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. Cavities formed at a low dose in samples irradiated with simultaneous helium injection. It was found that Y–Ti–O particles acted as strong traps for cavity formation at low doses. Helium exhibited a significant effect on cavity development. Cavities were also preferentially nucleated along grain boundaries, phase boundaries and twin boundaries. Irradiation induced lattice defects mainly consisted of small 1/2〈1 1 0〉 perfect loops and 1/3〈1 1 1〉 Frank loops. An increment of helium injection rate also greatly enhanced the Frank loop growth. Small (<10 nm) Y–Ti–O particles were found to be unstable after irradiation to high doses. M23C6 precipitates were observed after irradiation and helium might play a major role in their formation.