Rate theory modelling of neutron irradiation induced cluster formation in RPV steels and iron based alloys

A method allowing the cluster-matrix interaction to be introduced into the rate theory approach to cluster evolution in neutron-irradiated RPV steels and model alloys has been established. Corresponding FORTRAN code has been generated. Adjustment of the model parameters by means of comparison with experimentally obtained size distributions of radiation-induced clusters shows that cluster-matrix interaction is an important factor. In ongoing work the effect of solute enrichment and coherency between clusters and matrix should be considered.