Investigation of Particles and Gas Bubbles in Zr–0.8Sn–1Nb–0.3Fe Zr Alloys Irradiated by Krypton Ions

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)(2)Fe 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.