ASTM E942-23

Standard Guide for Investigating the Effects of Helium in Irradiated Metals

ABSTRACT
This guide presents the simulation procedure which would provide advice for conducting experiments to investigate the effects of helium on the properties of irradiated metals where the technique for introducing the helium differs in someway from the actual mechanism of introduction of helium in service. Simulation techniques considered for introducing helium shall include charged particle implantation, exposure to α-emitting radioisotopes, and tritium decay techniques. Procedures for the analysis of helium content and helium distribution within the specimen are also recommended. The two other methods for introducing helium into irradiated materials namely, the enhancement of helium production in nickel-bearing alloys by spectral tailoring in mixed-spectrum fission reactors, and the isotopic tailoring in both fast and mixed-spectrum fission reactors, are not covered in this guide. Dual ion beam techniques for simultaneously implanting helium and generating displacement damage are also not included here.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Helium is introduced into metals as a consequence of nuclear reactions, such as (n, α), or by the injection of helium into metals from the plasma in fusion reactors. The characterization of the effect of helium on the properties of metals using direct irradiation methods may be impractical because of the time required to perform the irradiation or the lack of a radiation facility, as in the case of the fusion reactor. Simulation techniques can accelerate the research by identifying and isolating major effects caused by the presence of helium. The word ‘simulation’ is used here in a broad sense to imply an approximation of the relevant irradiation environment. There are many complex interactions between the helium produced during irradiation and other irradiation effects, so care must be exercised to ensure that the effects being studied are a suitable approximation of the real effect. By way of illustration, details of helium introduction, especially the implantation temperature, may determine the subsequent distribution of the helium (that is, dispersed atomistically, in small clusters in bubbles, etc.).
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides advice for conducting experiments to investigate the effects of helium on the properties of metals where the technique for introducing the helium differs in some way from the actual mechanism of introduction of helium in service. Techniques considered for introducing helium may include charged particle implantation, exposure to α-emitting radioisotopes, and tritium decay techniques. Procedures for the analysis of helium content and helium distribution within the specimen are also recommended.  
1.2 Three other methods for introducing helium into irradiated materials are not covered in this guide. They are: (1) the enhancement of helium production in nickel-bearing alloys by spectral tailoring in mixed-spectrum fission reactors, (2) a related technique that uses a thin layer of NiAl on the specimen surface to inject helium, and (3) isotopic tailoring in both fast and mixed-spectrum fission reactors. These techniques are described in Refs (1-6).2 Dual ion beam techniques (7) for simultaneously implanting helium and generating displacement damage are also not included here. This latter method is discussed in Practice E521.  
1.3 In addition to helium, hydrogen is also produced in many materials by nuclear transmutation. In some cases it appears to act synergistically with helium (8-10). The specific impact of hydrogen is not addressed in this guide.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulat...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2023
• ICS: 77.040.99 - Other methods of testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E10 - Nuclear Technology and Applications
• Drafting Committee: E10.05 - Nuclear Radiation Metrology

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E942 − 23
Standard Guide for
1
Investigating the Effects of Helium in Irradiated Metals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E942; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This guide provides advice for conducting experiments
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
to investigate the effects of helium on the properties of metals
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
where the technique for introducing the helium differs in some
way from the actual mechanism of introduction of helium in
2. Referenced Documents
service. Techniques considered for introducing helium may
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
include charged particle implantation, exposure to α-emitting
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
radioisotopes, and tritium decay techniques. Procedures for the
E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and
analysis of helium content and helium distribution within the
Dosimetry
specimen are also recommended.
E521 Practice for Investigating the Effects of Neutron Ra-
1.2 Three other methods for introducing helium into irradi-
diation Damage Using Charged-Particle Irradiation
ated materials are not covered in this guide. They are: (1) the
E910 Test Method for Application and Analysis of Helium
enhancement of helium production in nickel-bearing alloys by
Accumulation Fluence Monitors for Reactor Vessel Sur-
spectral tailoring in mixed-spectrum fission reactors, (2) a
veillance
related technique that uses a thin layer of NiAl on the specimen
3. Terminology
surface to inject helium, and (3) isotopic tailoring in both fast
and mixed-spectrum fission reactors. These techniques are
3.1 Descriptions of relevant terms are found in Terminology
2
described in Refs (1-6). Dual ion beam techniques (7) for
C859 and Terminology E170.
simultaneously implanting helium and generating displace-
4. Significance and Use
ment damage are also not included here. This latter method is
discussed in Practice E521.
4.1 Helium is introduced into metals as a consequence of
nuclear reactions, such as (n, α), or by the injection of helium
1.3 In addition to helium, hydrogen is also produced in
into metals from the plasma in fusion reactors. The character-
many materials by nuclear transmutation. In some cases it
ization of the effect of helium on the properties of metals using
appears to act synergistically with helium (8-10). The specific
direct irradiation methods may be impractical because of the
impact of hydrogen is not addressed in this guide.
time required to perform the irradiation or the lack of a
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
radiation facility, as in the case of the fusion reactor. Simula-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
tion techniques can accelerate the research by identifying and
standard.
isolating major effects caused by the presence of helium. The
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
word ‘simulation’ is used here in a broad sense to imply an
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
approximation of the relevant irradiation environment. There
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
are many complex interactions between the helium produced
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
during irradiation and other irradiation effects, so care must be
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
exercised to ensure that the effects being studied are a suitable
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
approximation of the real effect. By way of illustration, details
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of helium introduction, especially the implantation
temperature, may determine the subsequent distribution of the
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear helium (that is, dispersed atomistically, in small clusters in
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
bubbles, etc.).
E10.05 on Nuclear Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved
3
in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E942 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/ For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E942 − 16 E942 − 23
Standard Guide for
1
Investigating the Effects of Helium in Irradiated Metals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E942; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides advice for conducting experiments to investigate the effects of helium on the properties of metals where
the technique for introducing the helium differs in some way from the actual mechanism of introduction of helium in service.
Techniques considered for introducing helium may include charged particle implantation, exposure to α-emitting radioisotopes,
and tritium decay techniques. Procedures for the analysis of helium content and helium distribution within the specimen are also
recommended.
1.2 Three other methods for introducing helium into irradiated materials are not covered in this guide. They are: (1) the
enhancement of helium production in nickel-bearing alloys by spectral tailoring in mixed-spectrum fission reactors, (2) a related
technique that uses a thin layer of NiAl on the specimen surface to inject helium, and (3) isotopic tailoring in both fast and
2
mixed-spectrum fission reactors. These techniques are described in Refs (1-6). Dual ion beam techniques (7) for simultaneously
implanting helium and generating displacement damage are also not included here. This latter method is discussed in Practice
E521.
1.3 In addition to helium, hydrogen is also produced in many materials by nuclear transmutation. In some cases it appears to act
synergistically with helium (8-10). The specific impact of hydrogen is not addressed in this guide.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements and Dosimetry
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E10.05 on Nuclear
Radiation Metrology.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2016June 1, 2023. Published January 2017July 2023. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
E942 – 96 (2011).E942 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E0942-16. 10.1520/E0942-23.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this guide.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E942 − 23
E521 Practice for Investigating the Effects of Neutron Radiation Damage Using Charged-Particle Irradiation
E706 Master Matrix for Light-Water Reactor Pressure Vessel Surveillance Standards
E910 Test Method for Application and Analysis of Helium Accumulation Fluence Monitors for Reactor Vessel Surveillance
3. Terminology
3.1 Descriptions of relevant terms are found in Terminology C859 and Terminology E170.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Helium is introduced into metals as a consequence of nuclear reactions, such as (n, α), or by the injection of helium into metals
from the plasma in fusion reactors. The characterization of the effect of helium on the properties of metals using direct irradiation
methods may be impractical because of the time required to perform the irradiation or the lack of a radiation facility, as in the case
of
...