Effects of neutron irradiation on strength of fusion reactor materials and their electron beam welded joints

Several aluminum alloys (A7N01, A5083 and A6061) and a ferritic martensitic steel (JFMS) were used in the present study of the effects of neutron irradiation on the strength of base materials and their electron beam welded joints. Neutron irradiation tests were performed using the core irradiation facility at Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). Neutron fluences were 2.0 x 10(22) 9.1 x 10(22) and 1.7 x 10(23) n/m2 (E > 0.1 MeV). Tensile tests were performed at 4.2, 77 and 293 K on miniature specimens prepared from both the base and welded materials. Aluminum alloys exhibit serrations in the nominal stress-nominal strain curve at 4.2 K. Little effect of neutron irradiation on the serration is observed. The ductility decrease of base metal and welded joints of aluminum alloys by neutron irradiation is smaller than that of JFMS. JFMS, especially welded joints, showed strong radiation embrittlement at cryogenic temperatures.