Radiation-enhanced recrystallization in copper alloys

Two high-strength copper alloys, cold-worked and aged AMZIRC (Cu-Zr) and AMAX-MZC (Cu-Cr-Zr-Mg) were irradiated with 14-MeV Cu ions to a damage level of 10 dpa at temperatures of 100 to 500°C. Cross-section examination of the irradiated foils using electron microscopy revealed signs of radiation-enhanced recrystallization for irradiation temperatures above 300°C. The recrystallization temperature for both alloys is about 450°C during thermal annealing for a time similar to the ion-irradiation time − 1.5 h. A simplified analysis of the results suggests that the accelerated recrystallization kinetics is due to radiation-enhanced diffusion (RED). This process may restrict the maximum operating temperature of fusion reactor components that incorporate these types of alloys to temperatures as low as 200°C.