The theory of void and interstitial dislocation loop growth in irradiated metals

Abstract

Abstract The nucleation and growth kinetics of voids and interstitial dislocation loops in irradiated metals is theoretically considered. Taking into account a slight dependence of void swelling on the void concentration the void and dislocation loop nucleation rates are approximated by expressions allowing an analytical treatment of the problem. It is shown that a sufficiently high doses the maximum void swelling depends on the number of displacements produced by bombarding particles only. The equations for dependence of void and dislocation loop concentration and void swelling on dose are derived. The mechanism of void swelling saturation due to ceasing of loop growth at large doses is discussed.