Positron study of steel NF 709 after irradiation and thermal strain

New improved austenitic steel NF 709 was studied in term of thermal and radiation stability in consideration of its application as structural material for the newest generation of nuclear reactors - Generation IV. Samples of steel NF 709 were exposed to two strains: annealing at 1000 °C in argon atmosphere and simulated irradiation performed by helium ion implantation. Changes of the microstructure after the experimental strains were observed by positron annihilation techniques. The microstructure after both treatments indicated growing of vacancy defects; although these changes were small or in the range of error bar. Thus, material NF 709 can be considered as well resistant to these applied strains.