The change of saturation magnetization in neutron-irradiated low-alloy steel

Abstract The change of saturation magnetization by neutron irradiation has been investigated for nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels, which differ in their steel refining process. The metallurgical and magnetic properties were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), hysteresis loop and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) techniques. An increase of saturation magnetization of neutron-irradiated steel was found in hysteresis loop measurements. To explore the cause of this increase, FMR experiments were conducted. A large difference in resonance field between non-irradiated and irradiated steel was found in the two specimens, A and B, which is in accordance with the characteristics of their carbide morphology.