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An Assessment of Radiation Effects in Beryllium

W.G. Wolfer, T.J. McCarville

Fusion Science and Technology / Volume 8 / Number 1P2B / July 1985 / Pages 1157-1164

Beryllium Technology / Proceedings of the Sixth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (San Francisco, California, March 3-7, 1985) / dx.doi.org/10.13182/FST85-A39925

Radiation effects in beryllium as produced by fast neutrons and resulting in dimensional changes are reviewed. It is found that helium bubble swelling is the predominant mechanism; however, because of the intrinsic anisotropy of the dislocation structure, bubble swelling is expected to be anisotropic, accompanied by radiation-induced growth. The anisotropy of swelling and plastic deformation at the microscopic level of crystal grains eventually results in microcracking, and the total inelastic deformation should therefore not exceed about 1%.