One-dimensional migration of interstitial clusters in SUS316L and its model alloys under electron irradiation

The one-dimensional (1D) migration of interstitial clusters in austenitic stainless steel SUS316L and its model alloys, namely, Fe–18Cr–13Ni, Fe–18Cr–13Ni–0.012C, and Fe–18Cr–13Ni–1.7Mn (mass %), was examined using in situ observation by high-voltage electron microscopy. Such 1D migration was confirmed to occur along the ?110? direction at irregular intervals in all these alloys under 1250-kV electron irradiation at room temperature. The frequency of 1D migration was found proportional to electron beam intensity, and was about 1/10 that in high-purity iron under the same irradiation intensity. The distance of 1D migration in the four alloys was less than 10?nm, which was much shorter than that in high-purity iron. No clear difference in the frequency or distance of 1D migration was observed among the four alloys, suggesting that minor solute/impurity elements have no apparent effect on 1D migration in SUS316L.