SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1999
STP13920S

The Neutron Irradiation Effect on the Mechanical Properties and Structure of Beryllium

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The results of an investigation into the effects of neutron irradiation on the mechanical properties and structure of beryllium are presented. Irradiation was performed in the BOR-60 reactor up to doses of 0.7–1.1 × 1022 n/cm2 (E > 0.1 MeV) at irradiation temperatures of 350°C, 400°C, 520°C, 780°C. Two modifications of RF beryllium, i.e. DShG-200 and TShG-56, were chosen for investigation.

For irradiation at temperatures of 350 – 400°C Be hardening due to the accumulation of radiation defect complexes. Hardening is accompanied with a sharp drop in plasticity at Ttest ≤ 300°C. The fracture of samples is of brittle, mainly transcrystallite, type. High-temperature irradiation (Tirr = 780°C) gives rise to large helium pores over the grain boundaries and smaller pores in the grain body. Fracture is brittle and intercrystalline at Ttest ≥ 600°C. Helium embrittlement is also accompanied with a drop in the Be mechanical properties. The conclusion is made that the irradiation temperature range, where irradiated beryllium has a satisfactory level of properties, is rather narrow: 300°C ≤ T ≤500°C.

Author Information

Fabritsiev, SA
D.V. Efremov Scientific Research Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
Pokrovsky, AS
Scientific Research Institute of Atomic Reactors, Dimitrovgrad, Russia
Bagautdinov, RM
Scientific Research Institute of Atomic Reactors, Dimitrovgrad, Russia
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 1062–1076
DOI: 10.1520/STP13920S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5395-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-2614-5