Evolution of nanoscopic iron clusters in irradiated zirconium alloys with different iron contents. Issue 10 (3rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sawabe, Takashi; Sonoda, Takeshi
• Is Part Of: Journal of nuclear science and technology. Volume 55:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1110
• Page End: 1118
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03
• Subjects: Zirconium alloy -- microstructure -- neutron irradiation -- atomic distribution -- iron clustering -- atom probe tomography; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1080/00223131.2018.1479987
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3131

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We investigate the distribution of alloying elements in irradiated Zr alloys with different Fe contents using atom probe tomography. Our results showed dense nanoscale regions (clusters) of Fe formed in the matrix. The average diameter of the Fe clusters in alloy with a high Fe content increased under a higher neutron fluence. Conversely, the number density of Fe clusters remained similar in all the Zr alloy specimens. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry showed that the maximum cluster size depended on the Fe content in the secondary phase particles. Fe clusters gathered along the basal plane of the Zr alloys at high fluence, indicating that irradiation defects influence Fe clustering. The solute concentration of Fe was estimated to be approximately 0.1 at%, which is the Fe concentration in the matrix exclusive of Fe clusters.