Irradiation induced microstructural changes in Zr-Excel alloy

• Published in: Journal of nuclear materials 2013-10, Vol.441 (1-3), p.138-151
• Main Authors: Idrees, Y., Yao, Z., Sattari, M., Kirk, M.A., Daymond, M.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Beta; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Ion irradiation; Irradiation; Microstructure; Nuclear fuels; Nucleation; Phases; Precipitates; Precipitation; Zirconium base alloys
• ISSN: 0022-3115; 1873-4820
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.05.036

The in situ ion irradiation technique has been employed to elucidate irradiation damage in the dual phase Zr-Excel alloy. 1MeV Kr ion irradiation experiments were conducted at different temperatures ranging from 100°C to 400°C. Damage microstructures have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy in both the alpha (α) and beta (β) phases after a maximum dose of 10dpa at different temperatures. Several important observations including low temperature 〈c〉-component loop formation, and irradiation induced omega (ω) phase precipitation have been reported. In situ irradiation provided an opportunity to observe the nucleation and growth of basal plane 〈c〉-component loops and irradiation induced dissolution of secondary phase precipitates at the same time. It has been shown that under Kr ion irradiation the 〈c〉-component loops start to nucleate and grow above a threshold dose, as has been observed for neutron irradiation. Furthermore, the role of temperature, material composition and pre-irradiation microstructure has been discussed in detail.