Effects of Microstructural Evolution on Charpy Impact Properties of Modified Ferritic/Martensitic Steel after Neutron Irradiation

The effects of fast neutron irradiation have been investigated on Charpy impact properties and microstructural evolution of ferritic/martensitic (F/M) 11Cr-0.5Mo-2W, Nb, V stainless steel (PNC-FMS) which were developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency for core component applications in advanced fast reactors. One-half-size Charpy specimens were irradiated in the experimental fast reactor JOYO using the material irradiation rig to doses of 4.4 dpa at 773 K and 2.8 dpa at 923 K. Post irradiation Charpy impact tests and microstructural observations by transmission electron microscope were carried out. The results of the Charpy impact tests showed that there was no significant degradation in Charpy impact properties after neutron irradiation at 773 K to 4.4 dpa compared with the as-received specimens, but there was significant degradation in the properties after neutron irradiation at 923 K to 2.8 dpa. The Charpy impact property changes were attributed to matrix softening by recovery of martensite lath structures and to precipitate distributions.