The Irradiation Response of ZrC Ceramics under 10 MeV Au³⁺ Ion Irradiation at 800 ºC

The microstructural evolution was characterized for ZrC ceramics irradiated with 10 MeV Au3+ ions at 800 °C. Post-irradiation examination showed that ZrC did not amorphize at doses up to 30 displacement per atoms (dpa). Concurrent oxidation of ZrC was found to occur during ion irradiation. Coarsening of the defective microstructure, as a function of dose, was revealed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. Black dot defects were observed at low doses (0.5 dpa), and tangled dislocation networks were formed at 5 dpa and above. Diffraction analysis showed a change in the defect structure occurred at doses close to ∼2.5 dpa. The evolution of lattice parameter with dose indicated that uptake of adventitious oxygen could occur in specimens irradiated at high doses. Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated an increase in non-stochiometry after irradiaton. This work identified specific relationships between dose and microstructure after irradiation, revealing the mechanisms of damage production in ZrCx ceramics