Differing behaviors of point defects in Fe–36Ni alloy during annealing after low-temperature deformation and irradiation

Abstract

Fe–36Ni alloy is studied in states in which it is quenched, irradiated with electrons at 70 K, and deformed at 77 K. It is shown that similar structure-phase transformations occur in the investigated alloy during annealing at the temperature range of 70–570 K both after preliminary low-temperature electron irradiation and after preliminary low-temperature deformation. Migration of interstitial atoms (70–140 K) and vacancies (180–570 K), which induce phase transformations and are the results of atomic separation and ordering of zones with increased nickel content, is observed. Mechanisms of structure-phase changes under deformation and annealing are discussed.