A comprehensive review is presented of the effects of high-energy neutron and ion irradiation on the mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and microstructural response of unalloyed vanadium and vanadium-base alloys. Only bulk radration effects are conside red; the response of the surface to ionizing radiation is not discussed. Emphasis is placed on reviewing the effects on those properties having greatest impact on the utility of these materials in an extreme radiation environment, such as for structural applications in a nuclear reactor. Data are reviewed for neutron fluences up to 6 × 1022 n cm-2(En> 0.1 MeV) at temperatures from about 500° to 800°C. Va, nadium alloys, particularly those containing a few percent titanium, are seen to exhibit a marked resistance to void formation and swelling, and to the drastic loss of ductility observed for many other structural materials. Some discussion of the possible reasons for these results is provided.
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