In-pile and post-irradiation creep of type 304 stainless steel under different neutron spectra

In addition to post-irradiation creep tests, in-pile creep tests were performed using newly developed technology with in situ measurement under different neutron spectra. The in-pile creep properties of type 304 stainless steel at 550°C appear to depend on neutron spectrum, but a spectral effect on post-irradiation creep properties is not clearly seen. The rupture time of in-pile creep under a high thermal neutron flux condition is the shortest. The order of the rupture time following the high thermal flux condition is post-irradiation creep, in-pile creep with a thermal neutron shield condition and finally creep of unirradiated material, all in increasing order. It is suggested that the acceleration of creep deformation and fracture observed in irradiation creep tests may be related to enhancement of thermal creep in terms of FMD increased under a high thermal neutron flux in addition to increased helium embrittlement.