In situ deformation of proton-irradiated metals

Abstract

For the understanding of the deformation mechanism in irradiated metals, “in situ” testing in a high-voltage electron microscope (HVEM) is a very useful method. In the present study, a special technique for the irradiation and thin-foil preparation has been developed in order to deform a micro-specimen dynamically in HVEM. This technique has enabled us to study the formation mechanism of defect-free zones and the interaction between glide dislocations and dislocation loops. New findings obtained by the in situ deformation are reported for Mo and Fe-Cr-Ni single crystals. Discussions are mainly concerned with the elimination of dislocation loops, 1 2 a〈111〉 perfect loops in Mo and 1 3 a〈111〉 faulted loops of extrinsic type in Fe-Cr-Ni.