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 °C and 0.163, 0.271 dpa at 290 °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 °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.