Effect of strain rate on the tensile properties of unirradiated and irradiated V–4Cr–4Ti

Tensile tests were carried out on an annealed, unirradiated V–4Cr–4Ti alloy from RT to 850°C at strain rates ranging from 10−1 to 10−5 s−1. Below 300°C, where interstitial solutes are relatively immobile, deformation is homogeneous, and the strain rate sensitivity (SRS) of the yield and flow stress is positive. Between 300°C and 700°C, the formation of solute atmospheres at locked dislocations results in dynamic strain-aging (DSA), deformation becomes heterogeneous, and the SRS of the flow stress is negative; in this regime the lower yield stress is independent of strain rate. Above 700°C, substitutional solutes are also mobile, DSA declines, and the material enters a power law creep regime in which the SRS becomes positive again. Following neutron irradiation to 0.5 dpa at temperatures ⩽400°C, severe flow localization occurs due to the high number density of 〈1 1 0〉 and 〈1 1 1〉 loops. However, above 400°C, strain hardening capacity returns but without the Lüders extension. At 500°C, after several percent plastic deformation, DSA occurs as interstitial solutes are released from the defect structure.