Effect of fast neutron irradiation on tensile properties of AISI 304 stainless steel and alloy Ti-6Al-4V

Effect of fast neutron irradiation at low fluence level of similar to 10(18) ncm(-2), on tensile properties of AISI 304 stainless steel and titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, was studied at ambient temperature. Flat tensile specimens, subjected to fast neutron irradiation to three different fluences of 0.6 x 10(18), 1.2 x 10(18) and 4.8 x 10(18) ncm(-2), in a reactor, were tested at ambient temperature. It was observed that yield strength and tensile strength of the AISI 304 stainless steel increased marginally, upto the fluence level of 1.2 x 10(18) ncm(-2), but significantly at the highest fluence of 4.8 x 10(18) ncm(-2). However there was only nominal decrease in ductility due to neutron irradiation. On the other hand, in the alloy Ti-6Al-4V there was fall both in strength as well as ductility with increase in neutron fluence. Ductility was found to decrease upto the fluence of 1.2 x 10(18) ncm(-2) and remained constant at higher fluences. Phase instability was revealed by X-ray diffraction in both the neutron irradiated materials. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.