Microstructural stability in a Cu-Cr-Si alloy under 300 keV Cu+ ion irradiation

Abstract

The stability of precipitate phases in a Cu-base alloy under irradiation with 300 KeV Cu+ ions has been investigated. The irradiations were carried out in the temperature range of 200°C to 530°C at displacement rates of 2.3 × 10-2 and 2.3 × 10-5 dpa/s, respectively. Of the two types of precipitates which form in this alloy under thermal ageing, the metastable. coherent precipitates of fcc chromium either do not form or dissolve, if already present, under most irradiation conditions. The second population of precipitates, i.e. incoherent particles of the stable phase Cr3Si, grow to a temperature dependent stable size under all irradiation conditions. The results are interpreted in terms of mechanisms of cascade mixing and radiation enhanced diffusional growth. © 1991.