Abstract
Two types of Zr–0.8Sn–1Nb–0.3Fe Zr alloys were irradiated by krypton ions in the temperature range from 320 to 400 °C. The microstructure of the as-received alloys showed that the sizes of Zr crystals and (Zr, Nb)2Fe particles with face-centered cubic (FCC) structure increased from 3.9 μm to 6.0 μm and from 74.6 nm to 89.6 nm, respectively, after cold rolling and subsequent annealing. Kr+ irradiation-induced bubble formation in the Zr matrix was observed. The size of the gas bubbles increased with increasing ion fluence and irradiation temperature. An equation that related the bubble size, ion fluence, and temperature were established. Irradiation-induced amorphization of particles was observed and found to be related to the fabrication process and irradiation parameters. The particles in alloy #1 showed a higher irradiation tolerance than those in alloy #2. The threshold damage dose for the amorphization of particles in alloy #2 was 3.5 dpa at 320 °C and 4.9 dpa at 360 °C. The mechanisms for bubble growth and particle amorphization are also discussed.
Highlights
Zr alloys are widely used in nuclear reactors due to their excellent comprehensive properties and performance [1,2]
Improvements to the properties and performance of Zr alloys are mostly made by optimizing the manufacturing process and the chemical composition by changing the contents of alloying elements [9,10]
Zu [16] reported that the amorphization of Zr(Fe,Cr)2 particles in a Zr-4 alloy had not occurred under 2 MeV H+ ion irradiation at a dose of 7 dpa at 350 ◦ C, but partial amorphization was observed after 5 dpa at 310 ◦ C
Summary
Zr alloys are widely used in nuclear reactors due to their excellent comprehensive properties and performance [1,2]. China to develop Zr alloy fuel cladding with better comprehensive performance [8]. A N36 Zr alloy with Zr–1.0Sn–1.0Nb–0.3Fe which showed excellent out-of-reactor performance was developed in China [11]. The evolution behaviors of the particles and gas bubbles of these two kinds of modified N36 Zr alloys during krypton ion irradiation are fully studied. Zu [16] reported that the amorphization of Zr(Fe,Cr) particles in a Zr-4 alloy had not occurred under 2 MeV H+ ion irradiation at a dose of 7 dpa at 350 ◦ C, but partial amorphization was observed after 5 dpa at 310 ◦ C. The evolution behavior of gas bubbles and particles was fully studied
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