Features of the interaction of Cu-rich precipitates with irradiation-produced defects in α-Fe

The interaction between copper-rich precipitates in {alpha}-iron and either vacancies or self-interstitial atoms and their clusters is studied by atomic-scale modeling. Results are compared with predictions of elasticity theory and interpreted in terms of size misfit of precipitates and defects, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhilosophical magazine letters Vol. 85; no. 9
Main Authors Arokiam, Alan, Barashev, Aleksandr, Bacon, David J, Osetskiy, Yury N
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2005
Subjects
ATOMS
COPPER
DEFECTS
ELASTICITY
INTERSTITIALS
IRON
IRRADIATION
NEUTRONS
PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
RECOMBINATION
VACANCIES
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Summary:The interaction between copper-rich precipitates in {alpha}-iron and either vacancies or self-interstitial atoms and their clusters is studied by atomic-scale modeling. Results are compared with predictions of elasticity theory and interpreted in terms of size misfit of precipitates and defects, and the modulus and cohesive energy differences between iron and copper. Interstitial defects are repelled by precipitates at large distance but, like vacancies, attracted at small distance. Hence, copper precipitates in iron can be sinks for both vacancy and interstitial defects, and can act as strong recombination centers under irradiation conditions. This leads to a tentative explanation for the mixed Cu-Fe structure of precipitates and the absence of precipitate growth under neutron irradiation conditions. More generally, both vacancy and interstitial defects may be strongly bound to precipitates with weaker cohesion than the matrix.
Bibliography:DE-AC05-00OR22725
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
ISSN:0950-0839
1362-3036
DOI:10.1080/09500830500300047