TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolution of Zr(Fe,Cr)2 second phase particles in Zircaloy-2 under heavy ion irradiation
AU - Lynch, Kieran
AU - Koç, Ömer
AU - Greaves, Graeme
AU - Carruthers, Alexander
AU - Maric, Mia
AU - Preuss, Michael
AU - Cole-Baker, Aidan
AU - Frankel, Philipp
AU - Robson, Joseph
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s)
PY - 2024/8/1
Y1 - 2024/8/1
N2 - The Zr(Fe,Cr)2 second phase particles (SPPs) found in Zircaloy-2 and -4 are known to amorphize and dissolve under irradiation. In the present work, their evolution has been studied in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) under 600 keV Ar2+ irradiation at 320 °C, taking samples to two different doses of 13 and 24 dpa. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDX), the samples were thoroughly characterised before and after irradiation, allowing subtle changes in precipitate chemistry to be detected. At both doses the SPPs were fully amorphous, with an accompanying release of Fe to the surrounding matrix. The Fe/Cr ratio was seen to decrease in the SPP core and increase at the interface with the matrix, a result of ballistic mixing across the interface coupled with outward diffusion of Fe. No alignment of dislocation loops or segregation of solute to defects in the matrix was observed, although Fe was found to diffuse further along the c-axis direction compared to the a-axis direction.
AB - The Zr(Fe,Cr)2 second phase particles (SPPs) found in Zircaloy-2 and -4 are known to amorphize and dissolve under irradiation. In the present work, their evolution has been studied in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) under 600 keV Ar2+ irradiation at 320 °C, taking samples to two different doses of 13 and 24 dpa. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDX), the samples were thoroughly characterised before and after irradiation, allowing subtle changes in precipitate chemistry to be detected. At both doses the SPPs were fully amorphous, with an accompanying release of Fe to the surrounding matrix. The Fe/Cr ratio was seen to decrease in the SPP core and increase at the interface with the matrix, a result of ballistic mixing across the interface coupled with outward diffusion of Fe. No alignment of dislocation loops or segregation of solute to defects in the matrix was observed, although Fe was found to diffuse further along the c-axis direction compared to the a-axis direction.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85190828623&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2024.155081
DO - 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2024.155081
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85190828623
SN - 0022-3115
VL - 596
JO - Journal of Nuclear Materials
JF - Journal of Nuclear Materials
M1 - 155081
ER -