Effects of Laser Radiation at 10 13 W/cm2 Intensity on Ferritic ODS Steel With and Without Hf in Helium and Vacuum

Abstract

Ferritic 16Cr3Al ODS steel, with and without the addition of hafnium, was exposed to high-intensity laser radiation of the order of 1013 W/cm2. Irradiation was conducted in the environments of helium and vacuum and the obtained surface effects were observed in the sense of morphology and chemical changes. This class of steels is being developed primarily for structural applications in nuclear reactors, which is why their behavior under harsh conditions, including high power densities, is of utmost importance. The obtained results show mostly superficial changes even at a high number of pulses, which points toward the successful implementation of these materials in a number of applications involving severe work conditions.