Mechanical properties of high-nickel alloys EP-753 and РЕ-16 after neutron irradiation to 54 dpa at 400–650 °С

Short-term mechanical properties and void swelling were investigated for high-nickel alloys РЕ-16 and three compositional variants of Russian alloy EP-753 and in various starting conditions after side-by-side irradiation in the BN-350 fast reactor at 400, 500, 600 and 650 °С to 54 dpa. For both alloys irradiation resulted in significant hardening and ductility reduction dependent on their chemical composition and initial heat treatment. At test temperatures equal to the irradiation values both alloys exhibited a high level of strength and satisfactory ductility. In the test temperature range of 550–650 °С the phenomenon of high-temperature irradiation embrittlement was observed.