Radiation Effects in Steels and Alloys

Dear Colleagues,

Radiation damage in steels and alloys is one of the most important damage mechanisms for design materials of nuclear components or facilities. Different particles (not only neutrons, on which the attention is dominantly focused in the nuclear industry) transfer their energy to atoms, which start to migrate, creating vacancies and different interstitials, being responsible for the formation of defect clusters or various microstructural changes (precipitation, segregations on grain boundaries, phase reactions, etc.). Such initiated nuclear reactions or transmutation can create alpha particle emitters which can lead to helium gas and its accommodation or movements in the material. All these mechanisms can significantly deteriorate materials’ properties and limit the life-time of use. Irradiation with energetic particles (such as neutrons, ions, and electrons) can cause a wide range of effects on materials, starting with the formation of point defects such as self-interstitial atoms (SIAs) and vacancies, defect clusters such as dislocation loops and stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs), and cavities (voids and gas-filled bubbles). These phenomena have been investigated in the last several decades using different techniques and advanced knowledge in material science to new levels. 

The aim of this Special issue is to preserve and maintain knowledge in this area as well as to extend it with actual results collected at different laboratories in recent years. This is fully in line with the extremely important reliability of material properties and increase of operational safety margin in view of long-term safe operation of nuclear facilities.

Prof. Vladimír Slugeň
Guest Editor

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