Effects of low temperature irradiation on the mechanical properties of V-4Cr-4Ti

Neutron irradiation at low temperatures (100 to 275°C) to 0.5 displacements per atom causes significant embrittlement and changes in the subsequent room temperature tensile properties of V-4Cr-4Ti. The yield strength and microhardness at room temperature increase with increasing irradiation temperature. The tensile properties at room temperature show large increases in strength and a complete loss of work hardening capacity with no uniform elongation. Embrittlement, as measured by an increase in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, increases with increasing irradiation temperature, at least up to 275°C. It is shown that this embrittlement is not due to pickup of O or other interstitial solutes during the irradiation.