Effect of electron irradiation on microstructural damage in the welded portion of a SUS304 weldment

The matrix and heat affected zone (HAZ) of welded SUS304 steel has been irradiated in an 1250 kV high voltage electron microscope at 673 K to 5.4 dpa (displacements per atom) to study the effect of electron irradiation on microstructure. In situ observation shows the voids formed by electron-beam irradiation coalescence which grew to larger sizes with irradiation dose. Values of void size, void number density and void swelling in HAZ were larger than those of the matrix, and these increased and saturated gradually with irradiation dose. Non-equilibrium segregation phenomenon involving Cr depletion and Ni enrichment at grain boundaries were also observed in both the HAZ and matrix of welded SUS304 steel.