Which mechanism causes increased brittleness in steel when exposed to prolonged neutron irradiation within a nuclear reactor's core?

💡 Explanation

Neutron irradiation creates vacancies and interstitials. Point defects cluster through diffusion, leading to neutron-induced void and precipitate formation. This hardens the crystal lattice, reducing its ability to deform because dislocation motion is impeded, therefore, steel becomes brittle, rather than retaining ductility.

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