Irradiation induced changes in the grain boundary chemistry of high-manganese low activation martensitic steels

The effects of neutron irradiation (10 dpa at 638 K, FFTF/MOTA) on solute segregation to the grain boundaries in high-manganese martensitic steels were investigated using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The AES spectrum obtained from the grain boundaries in martensitic steels was significantly in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nuclear materials 1992-09, Vol.191, p.885-889
Main Authors: Kimura, A., Charlot, L.A., Gelles, D.S., Baer, D.R., Jones, R.H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Materials Science
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nuclear Science & Technology
Science & Technology
Technology
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Summary:The effects of neutron irradiation (10 dpa at 638 K, FFTF/MOTA) on solute segregation to the grain boundaries in high-manganese martensitic steels were investigated using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The AES spectrum obtained from the grain boundaries in martensitic steels was significantly influenced by neutron irradiation. Neutron irradiation caused a marked increase in the amount of intergranular segregation of manganese in 12%Cr-6%Mn-1%W steel, while no significant increases in sulfur and/or phosphorus segregations were found in the steel. In 9%Cr-2%Mn-1%W steel, a large amount of silicon as well as a small amount of manganese segregation at grain boundaries was induced by the irradiation. The following mechanisms of irradiation induced embrittlement are proposed; (1) neutron irradiation induced intergranular segregation of manganese causes a reduction of grain boundary cohesive force, (2) intergranular segregation of silicon reduces carbon concentration at grain boundaries by a site competition mechanism resulting in the weakening of the grain boundary strength. Another possible explanation involves grain boundary precipitation.
ISSN:0022-3115
1873-4820
DOI:10.1016/0022-3115(92)90600-P