Influence of damage rate on physical and mechanical properties and swelling of 18Cr–9Ni austenitic steel in the range of 3 × 10−9 to 4 × 10−8 dpa/s

The results of the examination of the specimens constructed from the Fe–18Cr–9Ni steel thick-wall pipe irradiated at temperatures 370–375 °С to damage rates from 1.5 to 21 dpa at displacement rates from 3 × 10−9 to 4 × 10−8 dpa/s are presented. Electrical resistance, elasticity characteristics and radiation swelling of this material under different irradiation conditions were measured. Changes in the microstructure of the steel, in particular, the porosity characteristics dependent on a damage rate are shown.