The formation and stability of Cu precipitates and point-defect clusters were investigated in two Fe-Cu binary model alloys irradiated with fission neutrons at temperatures of 573 and 673K. The results of positron annihilation experiments indicated that Cu precipitates, micro-voids and interstitial-type dislocation loops were formed after a first irradiation step at 573K. A substantial aggregation of Cu atoms occurred upon irradiation at 673K following the irradiation at 573K. In addition, this second irradiation caused the interstitial-type dislocation loops and micro-voids that formed as a result of the irradiation at 573K to shrink and disappear.

Stability of Cu Precipitates in Fe-Cu Model Alloys Irradiated at High Temperatures with Fission Neutrons. Q.Xu, T.Yoshiie, K.Sato: Philosophical Magazine Letters, 2007, 87[1], 65-74