Features of dislocation channeling in neutron-irradiated V–(Fe, Cr)–Ti alloy

Post-irradiation annealing experiments were used to study the recovery of microstructure and mechanical properties in V–Cr–Ti and V–Fe–Ti alloys irradiated at 228 °C to 4 dpa. After 500 °C post irradiation annealing, dislocation channeling occurred at deformed area in tensile specimens and significant loss of ductility resulted. For post irradiation annealing above 600 °C, recovery of damage structure and tensile properties occurred and irradiation hardening completely disappeared in V–3Fe–4Ti–0.1Si. Clear dislocation channels can be seen mainly in deformed areas of specimens showing significant loss of ductility, however, a pile-up of dislocations in channels was observed at a grain boundary where the channel did not penetrate into the adjacent grain. It is assumed that defect clusters were absorbed by mobile dislocations and no debris or segments of defect clusters were left in clear channels of bcc metals and alloys under post-irradiation deformation.