Influence of proton irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb-1Zr-0.1C alloy

Abstract The microstructural evolution and corresponding changes in mechanical properties of proton irradiated Nb-1Zr-0.1C alloy have been studied as a function of irradiation dose. Different XRD line profile analyses (XRDLPA) have been carried out using synchrotron XRD data to evaluate the microstructural parameters. It is observed that coherent domain size decreases with an increasing microstrain within the domain as a function of dose. The dislocation density also increases and shows saturation at the highest dose. The Wilkens arrangement parameter decreases as a function of dose indicating the formation of correlated dislocations in the alloy matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirms the presence of dislocation loops in the highest dose sample supporting the findings of XRDLPA. The strength and ductility of unirradiated and all irradiated samples have been evaluated as a function of dose. It is observed that the ductility reduces continuously along with increasing yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) as a function of dose. Nanoindentation was also carried out to measure the change in hardness of the alloy with dose. It is observed that the value of the nanohardness increases continuously from 1.74 GPa for the unirradiated sample to 2.43 GPa in the highest dose irradiated sample. Systematic changes are observed on the morphology of fracture surface as a function of dose. Signature of ductile failure is observed in the unirradiated sample whereas brittle failure is prominent in the irradiated samples with higher dose. The change in microstructure in terms of dislocation density is corroborated with the change in mechanical properties in terms of YS of the irradiated alloy. Contradistinction of the findings of Nb-1Zr-0.1C with those of pure Nb contemplated the role of the alloying additions, especially carbon, in governing the irradiation behaviour of the alloy.