Transmission electron microscopy was used to study V-4Cr-4Ti alloy samples which had been irradiated to damage levels of 0.1 to 0.5dpa at 110 to 505C. Small faulted dislocation loops were observed after irradiation at temperatures below about 275C. These dislocation loops became unfaulted at temperatures above about 275C, and a high density of small Ti-rich defect clusters lying on {001} planes appeared together with unfaulted loops at temperatures above 300C. According to the transmission electron microscopic and tensile measurements, the dislocation barrier strengths of the faulted dislocation loops and {001} defect clusters were about 0.4 to 0.5, and 0.25, respectively. This indicated that both types of defect could be easily sheared by dislocations during deformation. Cleared dislocation channels were observed following the tensile deformation of specimens which had been irradiated at 268C.

Temperature Dependence of the Radiation Damage Microstructure in V-4Cr-4Ti Neutron Irradiated to Low Doses. P.M.Rice, S.J.Zinkle: Journal of Nuclear Materials, 1998, 258-263, 1414-9