Effect Of Ar2+ Ion Irradiation On Microstructure And Mechanical Properties Of Chromium-Coated Zirconium Alloy At 400°C

Abstract

Following the Fukushima incident, there has been a surge in research and development of chromium (Cr) coatings for zirconium (Zr) alloy cladding. The majority of these studies have concentrated on the high-temperature oxidation resistance of these coatings, with less emphasis on their high-temperature irradiation resistance. To address this gap, an integrated approach combining argon ion irradiation experiments with computational simulations was employed to assess the influence of varying ion irradiation dose on the microstructural and mechanicalattributes of chromium-coated zirconium alloy under irradiation at 400℃. The post-irradiation microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of the chromium coated zirconium alloy were examined using a suite of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, tensile testing, and X-ray diffraction. The findings reveal that the extent of irradiation-induced damage correlates positively with the Ar ion irradiation dose, and that higher doses of irradiation promote the progressive development of a dense dislocation network, thereby significantly enhancing the coating's hardness. This observation underscores the commendable resistance to corrosion of chromium coatings.