Hardening and Recovery of Neutron-Irradiated Fe-Cu-C Alloy

Abstract

Internal friction measurements were performed on neutron-irradiated and annealed Fe-0.2w/o Cu-0.0066 w/oC alloy, in an attempt to gain information on the role of interstitial C atoms in radiation effects. It was revealed that C atoms are trapped by defects produced by neutron-irradiation, and released upon annealing at about 400°C. The radiation hardening induced in the neutron-irradiated Fe-Cu-C alloy recovers by annealing in at least three steps of 150°250°C, 350°450°C and above 550°C. The second step corresponds to the release of C atoms from traps.