Abstract
A dual-phase Cr 2AlC material was synthesized using magnetron sputtering at a temperature of 648 K. A stoichiometric and nanocrystalline MAX phase matrix was observed along with the presence of spherical-shaped amorphous nano-zones as a secondary phase. The irradiation resistance of the material was assessed using a 300-keV Xe ion beam in situ within a transmission electron microscope up to 40 displacements per atom at 623 K: a condition that extrapolates the harmful environments of future fusion and fission nuclear reactors. At the maximum dose investigated, complete amorphization was not observed. Scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray revealed an association between swelling due to inert gas bubble nucleation and growth and radiation-induced segregation and clustering. Counterintuitively, the findings suggest that preexisting amorphous nano-zones can be beneficial to Cr 2AlC MAX phase under extreme environments.
Original language | English |
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Article number | eabf6771 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
Journal | Science Advances |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 13 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2021 |
Bibliographical note
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