The temperature and fluence dependence of cavity swelling and dislocation

development in CVD SiC irradiated with fast neutrons at 1050 to 1460C, up to

9.6dpa, were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy. The cavity

swelling was very limited below 1300C (<0.01% at 1300C, 9.3dpa). Temperature

and fluence dependent swelling became visible above about 1400C. The maximum

value of the cavity swelling was 0.25% at 1460C, 9.6dpa, but this appeared to be

below the peak swelling temperature. Frank loops were the dominant dislocation

structure in this temperature regime, and the number density decreased and the size

increased with increasing irradiation temperature. The loop microstructures

depended less significantly on both the irradiation temperature and fluence below

1200C. A significant decrease in the number density and increase in the size were

observed at 1300–1460C.

Cavity Swelling and Dislocation Evolution in SiC at Very High Temperatures.

S.Kondo, Y.Katoh, L.L.Snead: Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2009, 386-388, 222-6