Investigation of a high-dose irradiated beryllium microstructure

The present paper studies the evolving Be microstructure after high-dose neutron irradiation at 660 K, 753 K and 873 K up to 34 dpa and generation of 5524 appm He and 596 appm 3H. At all three temperatures gas bubbles were observed whereby their average size is increasing with the temperature. In addition denuded zones (DZ) formed near grain boundaries. Their width increased with irradiation temperature and was found to be narrower for grains with a random orientation compared to those with a close to basal orientation with respect to the grain boundary. Furthermore, perceptions containing elements such as Al, Cr, Fe, Mg, Si as well as U were found inside single grains, often attached to dislocation lines, and in the vicinity of grain boundaries, mainly at 660 K and 753 K. [Display omitted]