Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of pre-existing dislocations on the mechanical and magnetic properties of neutron-irradiated steels. Magnetic domain observation of electron-irradiated well-annealed iron revealed that irradiation defects actually disturbed domain wall movement. Pre-deformed pure iron and iron-based alloys were neutron-irradiated, and their hardness and magnetic hysteresis loops were measured. Decreasing behaviors in coercivity suggest the domain walls moved more easily after irradiation. Also, the role of pre-existing dislocation is discussed by taking into consideration the change in hardness.
