| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Elucidating Microstructural Evolution Under Extreme Environments
|
| Presentation Title |
Defect Evolution in Nanocrystalline SiC at High Irradiation Temperature |
| Author(s) |
Nabil Daghbouj, Tomas Polcar |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Nabil Daghbouj |
| Abstract Scope |
The performance of materials in extreme radiation environments is crucial for future nuclear reactors. Radiation causes damage leading to swelling. The development of materials with high resistance to radiation damage is vital for safe nuclear systems. This study demonstrates radiation tolerance enhancement by suppressing He-platelet formation in SiC at elevated temperatures, using nanocrystalline SiC and introducing pre-existing damage to sintered SiC. Single crystal and nanocrystalline 3C-SiC samples were irradiated with 30 keV He ions at 800°C. Single crystal SiC formed He platelets, increasing hardness by 6 GPa, while nanocrystalline SiC exhibited bubble formation primarily at grain boundaries, increasing hardness by 1 GPa. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that different planar defects had varying effects on radiation resistance. Pre-existing damage influenced vacancy and interstitial migration, inhibiting He bubble growth. These findings provide design criteria for radiation-tolerant materials and can be applied to develop high radiation-tolerance materials. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
High-Temperature Materials, Characterization, Nuclear Materials |