Influence of plasma immersion titanium implantation on hydrogenation and mechanical properties of Zr–2.5Nb

• Published in: Applied surface science 2016-05, Vol.370, p.142-148
• Main Authors: Kashkarov, E.B., Nikitenkov, N.N., Syrtanov, M.S., Sutygina, A.N., Shulepov, I.A., Lider, A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydrogen storage; Hydrogenation; Immersion; Implantation; Mechanical properties; Plasma immersion ion implantation; Titanium; Titanium ion implantation; Zirconium; Zirconium base alloys
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2016.02.149

•Titanium was implanted into Zr–2.5Nb by filtered and unfiltered PIII.•The microdroplets significantly influence the hydrogen penetration through the implanted layer.•Hydrogen is predominantly trapped in the implanted zone and hydrogen diffusion barrier is formed.•Titanium implantation improves the mechanical properties of modified layer which degrades after hydrogenation. This paper describes the effect of plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) of titanium on hydrogenation behavior and mechanical properties of Zr–2.5Nb alloy. Surface morphology and depth distribution of elements in the surface layer of the samples were analyzed by scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). Hydrogenation was performed at 673K temperature and 2atm pressure. It was found that after titanium implantation a diffusion barrier is formed, accumulating hydrogen and preventing hydrogen penetration in the sample volume. The microdroplet content significantly influences the hydrogenation behavior of the zirconium alloy. Hydrogen sorption rate decreased 18.3 times and 4.3 times using filtered and unfiltered PIII, respectively. The mechanical properties of titanium-implanted zirconium layer were improved. The degradation of the mechanical properties after hydrogenation was revealed.