Radiation defects induced by helium implantation in gold-based alloys investigated by positron annihilation spectroscopy

Abstract

The formation of gas bubbles in metallic materials may result in drastic degradation of in-service properties. In order to investigate this effect in high density and medium-low melting temperature (T M) alloys, positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements were performed on helium-implanted gold–silver solid solutions after isochronal annealing treatments. Three recovery stages are observed, attributed to the migration and elimination of defects not stabilized by helium atoms, helium bubble nucleation and bubble growth. Similarities with other metals are found for the recovery stages involving bubble nucleation and growth processes. Lifetime measurements indicate that He implantation leads to the formation of small and over-pressurized bubbles that generate internal stresses in the material. A comprehensive picture is drawn for possible mechanisms of helium bubble evolution. Two values of activation energy (0.26 and 0.53 eV) are determined below and above 0.7T M, respectively, from the variation of the helium bubble radius during the bubble growth stage. The migration and coalescence mechanism, which accounts for these very low activation energies, controls the helium bubble growth.