Internal friction and Youngs modulus of V–Ti–Cr alloy before, during and after proton irradiation

Using a composite oscillator, the Youngʹs modulus and the internal friction of annealed, plastically bent and bent–straightened V–4Ti–4Cr alloy specimens have been measured, in a wide amplitude range, before, during and after proton irradiation. The proton energy and flux were 8 MeV and 1012 p cm-2 s-1. The in situ dependencies on the proton beam current and temperature have been obtained. Softening and overheating (which looks like softening–strenghtening of the alloy) effects, which arise due to radiation damage, have been revealed. The influence of beam heating and defect accumulation–annihilation on the acoustic properties of the annealed and pre-strained samples, during and after proton irradiation, are briefly discussed.