Ageing behaviour of neutron/irradiated Eurofer97

Abstract

Eurofer97 is a candidate structural material for nuclear fusion reactors. To better understand the ageing effects due to radiation during long-term use in real fusion conditions, Eurofer97 was neutron irradiated at the High Flux Reactor in The Netherlands. TEM images of post-irradiation Eurofer97 reveal a high density of irradiation-induced dislocation loops, fine precipitates and agglomeration of point defects. Microscopy results are related to post-irradiation tensile mechanical tests done at room temperature and at 300 °C. An increase of yield and ultimate tensile strength combined with a decrease of total elongation is observed in both tests and correlated with the presence of radiation damage.