Effect of electron irradiation on different crystal planes of titanium aluminum carbide

Ti3AlC2 is irradiated by electron-beams at the energy of 200 keV for different times. For the first time, the electron irradiation resistance of Ti3AlC2 of two crystal planes ((0001) and (112¯0)) is studied. It is found that the sputtering of atoms occurs in both morphologies of the two selected planes by performing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). There's no amorphous ring observed on their selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns. Some weakened diffraction spots on their SAED patterns are observed. Structure transformation from α to β phase is attributed to the weakened diffraction spots on (112¯0) plane by simulated electron diffraction patterns (EDPs), indicating the high irradiation resistance of Ti3AlC2.