Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-04059

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png The effect of proton irradiation dose rate on the evolution of microstructure in Zr alloys: A synchrotron microbeam X-ray, TEM, and APT study

KOC, O. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Thomas, R.Extern* ; Jenkins, B. ; Hofer, C. ; Hegedues, Z.DESY* ; Lienert, U.DESY* ; Harrison, R. W. ; Preuss, M.Extern* ; Ungar, T.Extern* ; Frankel, P.Extern*

2025
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2025.155721

Abstract: Protons are increasingly used as a surrogate for neutrons to study radiation damage of engineering alloys used in the core of a nuclear reactor, enabling high fluences in comparatively short times. However, the accelerated damage rate of protons is usually compensated by an increased irradiation temperature to assist diffusion. To better understand dose rate effects on microstructure evolution during radiation damage, recrystallized Low-Sn ZIRLO and Zircaloy-2 were proton-irradiated to 0.15 dpa at 320 °C using nominal dose rates of 1.3, 2.5, and 5.2 × 10−5 dpa/s. Depth profiling using microbeam synchrotron XRD was conducted across the 30 µm deep irradiated regions for line profile analysis, enabling dislocation line density determination. We found no significant difference in dislocation density among the different dose rates for Zircaloy-2 while Low-Sn ZIRLO displayed dose rate sensitive microstructural evolution. However, Low-Sn ZIRLO exhibited a significantly lower overall dislocation density compared to Zircaloy-2 samples at all dose rates. (S)TEM analysis of the samples showed clear 〈a〉 loop alignment in Zircaloy-2, while this was less pronounced in Low-Sn ZIRLO. APT analysis conducted on Low-Sn ZIRLO specimens showed the early onset of irradiation induced nanoclusters of Nb, where the clusters were observed to be comparatively smaller in the sample exposed to high dose rate irradiation. Overall, the integration of different techniques has provided a more comprehensive understanding of the early-stage damage evolution under differing damage accumulation rates.

Note: Open access

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. PETRA-D (FS-PETRA-D)
2. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P21.2 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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