Irradiation-induced amorphization in the zirconium suboxide on Zr-0.5Nb alloys

Journal Article · 12 November 2018 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2018.11.015 · OSTI ID:1550808

Liu, Junliang ^[1]; He, G. ^[1]; Hu, Jing ^[2]; Shen, Z.  ^[1]; Kirk, M. ^[2]; Li, Meimei ^[2]; Ryan, E. ^[2]; Baldo, Peter ^[2]; Lozano-Perez, Sergio  ^[1]; Grovenor, Chris ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Oxford (United Kingdom)
2. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)

For the first time, the observation of irradiation-induced amorphization of the zirconium suboxide formed during aqueous corrosion of Zr-0.5Nb alloys is discussed. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy results reveal amorphization of the hexagonal-ZrO suboxide under heavy ion irradiation at cryogenic temperatures. This irradiation-induced amorphization behaviour is discussed in relation to the arrangement of oxygen interstitials and the formation of stable superlattices. The sensitivity of the suboxide to irradiation damage can lead to phase changes and the accumulation of defects near the oxide/metal interface, which needs to be considered in the development of mechanistic models addressing radiation-assisted acceleration of corrosion rates in zirconium alloys.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1550808
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Journal Issue: C Vol. 513; ISSN 0022-3115
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English