Irradiated samples, fabricated from AISI304 stainless steel, were characterized before and after in situ annealing in a transmission electron microscope at 400 to 600C. The samples were irradiated at 375 to 389C, to doses of up to 29dpa. The pre-annealed microstructures exhibited substantial radiation-induced dislocation development (networks, loops) and cavity formation (bubbles, voids). Following annealing, the dislocation-loop densities decreased significantly and the dislocation network density increased. Annealing at 500 or 600C led to the shrinkage or disappearance of many of the larger faceted voids.

Austenitic Stainless Steels. J.I.Cole, T.R.Allen: Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2000, 283-287, 329-33