Relation between the physicomechanical properties of an austenitic ChS-68 steel and its swelling during high-dose irradiation

The elasticity properties, electrical resistance, swelling, and mechanical properties of the Kh16N15M2GTFR steel irradiated in the BN-600 reactor to a maximum damage dose of 72 dpa are determined. The swelling and the changes in the physicomechanical properties are found to be correlated. The swelling contribution to the changes in the elasticity properties and electrical resistance is calculated and compared to their experimental values. The conditions of the predominant effect of swelling on the physicomechanical properties are revealed. The accuracy of estimating the swelling from the experimental values of electrical resistance and elasticity properties is determined.