An austenitic stainless steel weld was thermally aged at 400 °C for 20,000 h, and subsequently proton irradiated up to 10 displacement per atom (dpa) at 360 °C. After thermal ageing, only spinodal decomposition was observed without G-phase precipitates in δ-ferrite. However, ∼ 10²³ m⁻³ of fine (∼ 3 nm in diameter) G-phase precipitates were observed after proton irradiation. Also, wavelength of spinodal decomposition was increased with proton irradiation. The additional hardening in δ-ferrite after proton irradiation was attributed to enhanced spinodal decomposition and G-phase precipitation. After irradiation, the contribution to addition hardening was greater for G-phase than enhanced spinodal decomposition.

奥氏体不锈钢焊缝在400°C下热老化20,000 h，随后在360°C下对质子辐照每个原子（dpa）的位移高达10。热老化后，仅观察到旋节线分解，而δ铁素体中没有G相沉淀。但是，在质子辐照后，观察到约10 ²³ m ^-3细小（直径约3 nm）G相沉淀。而且，旋节线分解的波长随着质子辐照而增加。质子辐照后δ铁素体的额外硬化归因于增强的旋节线分解和G相沉淀。辐照后，G相对增强强化的贡献大于增强的旋节线分解。