Effects of thermal annealing and ion irradiation on the properties and microstructures of copper alloys. [AMZIRC(Cu-Zr) and AMAX-MZC(Cu-Cr-Zr-Mg)]
High strength, high conductivity copper alloys have recently been developed for a variety of technologically challenging applications, including proposed nuclear fusion reactors. The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of high temperatures and radiation levels on the microstructural stability of two commercial high-strength, high conductivity copper alloys, AMZIRC (Cu-Zr) and AMAX-MZC (Cu-Cr-Zr-Mg). The recrystallization temperature of both AMZIRC and AMAX-MZC was measured to be 475/sup 0/C for a 1 hour anneal, and was estimated to be 320/sup 0/C for a 20 year anneal which corresponds to a recrystallization energy of 3.0 eV. The yield strength of AMZIRC and AMAX-MZC decreased by at least a factor of two upon recrystallization. No significant void formation was observed in pure copper or in the AMZIRC and MZC copper alloys following ion irradiation at temperatures of 100-500/sup 0/C (0.28-0.59 T/sub M/) to peak damage levels of 40 dpa. Instead, stacking fault tetrahedra (SFT) were detected. The absence of voids following ion irradiation is attributed to the low oxygen content of the copper and copper alloys (<5 ppm). Ion irradiation of cold-worked plus aged AMZIRC and AMAX-MZC caused an effective shift in the recrystallization temperature to a lower value by 75 to 150/sup 0/C compared with thermal anneal results. A simple model based on radiation-enhanced diffusion predicts a radiation-enhanced recrystallization temperature of 150/sup 0/C for these alloys for a 2 year neutron irradiation.
- Research Organization:
- Wisconsin Univ., Madison (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6120765
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
360102 -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360103 -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
360106* -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
ALLOYS
ANNEALING
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
COPPER ALLOYS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
HEAT TREATMENTS
MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RECRYSTALLIZATION
VOIDS
YIELD STRENGTH
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS