Three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics simulations were carried out to analyze pre and post-irradiation plastic deformation in ferritic grains, with and without ODS particles. In the absence of irradiation induced defect loops, ODS-grains were stronger and plastic strain was more localized than in the corresponding, particle-free grain. After irradiation however, ODS-grain become more resistant to loop-induced hardening, while plastic strain spreading was broader, with respect to particle-free grain. This effect was due to dislocations accumulating next to the precipitates, generating internal stress allowing cross-slipped dislocations to go past the irradiation induced defect loops. Cross-slip was therefore a key feature of the present model, for explaining the beneficial role of ODS particles on post-irradiation plastic deformation.

Plastic Deformation of Ferritic Grains in Presence of ODS Particles and Irradiation-Induced Defect Clusters: a 3D Dislocation Dynamics Simulation Study. C.Robertson, K.Gururaj: Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2011, 415[2], 167-78