A critical test of the classical rate theory for void swelling

Complete sets of microstructural data have recently become available for two different irradiation times and for pure ternary alloys of austenitic stainless steels. Using these data as input to the classical rate theory of void swelling, swelling rates are computed and compared with the experimental data. Computations are performed for the ranges of physical parameters as suggested by experimental measurements or basic theory. It is found that classical rate theory predicts swelling rates in remarkably good agreement with the data for a limited set of parameter values. For example, dislocation bias factor ratios can be narrowed from the initial range of 1.1–2.0 down to the range of 1.25–1.55. An explanation is provided for the success of classical rate theory in spite of the fact that a significant fraction of interstitials form and migrate as clusters.