There are mounting studies that show nanotwinned (NT) metals have enhanced radiation tolerance. Yet, the mechanical deformability of irradiated nanotwinned metals is a largely under explored subject. Here we look at the mechanical properties of He ion irradiated nanotwinned Cu with preexisting nanovoids. In comparison with coarse-grained Cu, nanovoid nanotwinned (NV-NT) Cu exhibits prominently improved radiation tolerance. Moroever, in situ micropillar compression tests show that the irradiated NV-NT Cu has an ultrahigh yield strength of ~1.6 GPa with significant plasticity. Post radiation analyses show that twin boundaries are decorated with He bubbles and thick stacking faults. These stacking fault modified twin boundaries introduce significant strengthening in NT Cu. This study provides further insight into the design of high-strength, advanced radiation tolerant nanostructured materials for nuclear reactor applications.
@article{osti_1542859,
author = {Fan, Cuncai and Li, Qiang and Ding, Jie and Liang, Yanxiang and Shang, Zhongxia and Li, Jin and Su, Ruizhe and Cho, Jaehun and Chen, Di and Wang, Yongqiang and others},
title = {Helium irradiation induced ultra-high strength nanotwinned Cu with nanovoids},
annote = {There are mounting studies that show nanotwinned (NT) metals have enhanced radiation tolerance. Yet, the mechanical deformability of irradiated nanotwinned metals is a largely under explored subject. Here we look at the mechanical properties of He ion irradiated nanotwinned Cu with preexisting nanovoids. In comparison with coarse-grained Cu, nanovoid nanotwinned (NV-NT) Cu exhibits prominently improved radiation tolerance. Moroever, in situ micropillar compression tests show that the irradiated NV-NT Cu has an ultrahigh yield strength of ~1.6 GPa with significant plasticity. Post radiation analyses show that twin boundaries are decorated with He bubbles and thick stacking faults. These stacking fault modified twin boundaries introduce significant strengthening in NT Cu. This study provides further insight into the design of high-strength, advanced radiation tolerant nanostructured materials for nuclear reactor applications.},
doi = {10.1016/j.actamat.2019.07.003},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1542859},
journal = {Acta Materialia},
issn = {ISSN 1359-6454},
volume = {177},
place = {United States},
publisher = {Elsevier},
year = {2019},
month = {07}}
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC). Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); U.S. Office of Naval Research
Ziegler, James F.; Ziegler, M. D.; Biersack, J. P.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, Vol. 268, Issue 11-12https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2010.02.091
