Radiation Damage Resistance of Some Rare Earth Cermets

Europium oxide and gadolinium oxide-stainless steel cermets in ranges of 5 to 30 wt % rare earth oxide have been irradiated in the MTR. Free beam bend samples of 5, 20, 25, and 30 wt % Eu2O3-stainless steel cermets and 14 wt % Gd2O3-stainless steel cermets were irradiated in the MTR for times ranging from 2 to 5 cycles. Little damage was noted in the irradiated Gd2O3-stainless steel cermets after irradiation. Damage to the irradiated Eu2O3-stainless steel cermets appeared to be a function of radiation time and concentrations. Metallographic samples of unirradiated and irradiated samples representing each test are included.