Development of Irradiation and Creep Resistant High-Cr Ferritic/Martensitic Steels via Magnetic Field Heat Treatment

Objective of this proposed study is to develop and test new generation of Ferritic/Martensitic (F/M) steels specifically designed for advanced reactors that will exceed the current limitations due to temperature and irradiation dose. To achieve this objective, we propose a systematic study to employ an innovative tempering heat treatment under high external magnetic field (up to 9T) on F/M steel HT9 to engineer an optimized microstructure composed of refined carbides and martensite laths that would improve void swelling resistance, ductility, strength and creep resistance. Both light (at temperatures of less than 300°C) and heavy ion radiations (at temperatures higher than 450°C) will be applied to magnetically and conventionally tempered alloys to determine the effects on irradiation on their mechanical properties, deformation mechanisms and radiation damage resistance. Detailed micro and macro-mechanical tests and microstructure investigations will be conducted to understand the effects of applied magnetic field and irradiation on the properties of F/M steels.