Point defect sink strength of low-angle tilt grain boundaries: A phase field dislocation climb model

Abstract

Evaluating the point defect sink strength of grain boundaries is crucial for understanding the metal behavior of plasticity and damage under irradiation. In this paper, the point defect sink strength of low-angle symmetrical tilt grain boundaries is investigated by the phase field dislocation climb model under irradiation. The results indicate that sink strength of grain boundary is not only determined by the long-range point defect diffusion but also the short-range point defect absorption by the dynamic climbing of grain boundary dislocations. All of the study findings prove that the irradiation induced creep deformation of grain boundaries is essential for evaluating the radiation tolerance of materials.