Dislocation electron tomography: A technique to characterize the dislocation microstructure evolution in zirconium alloys under irradiation

Diffraction-contrast electron tomography was used to analyse the 3D geometry of dislocation microstructure in a zirconium alloy before and after ion irradiation. The material had been strained at room temperature prior After straining, exhibited mainly screw dislocations with Burgers vectors. From analysis habit plane non-screw segments, it deduced that they have glided prismatic planes lesser extent first order pyramidal planes. irradiation, loops vectors were observed. It shown are not pure edge their located around {101¯0}, tilted up 20° towards (0001) {112¯0}. Furthermore, proven initial climbed under Several also found interacted during climb. climb irradiation is an important mechanism can explain part in-reactor deformation alloys when subjected simultaneous mechanical loading Interactions between occurring may play significant role on alloys.