Irradiation-induced creep in nanostructured Cu alloys

Irradiation-induced creep measurements were performed on pure Cu and Cu93.5W6.5. By using 1.8 MeV Kr+ irradiation of free-standing 300 nm films, nearly homogeneous damage in excess of 100 dpa could be obtained, yielding transient and steady-state creep regimes. The steady-state creep rate was proportional to the applied stress, yielding irradiation creep compliance of 1.2 and 0.32 × 10−4 MPa−1 dpa−1 in Cu and Cu93.5W6.5, respectively. The microstructure of the two-phase alloy was highly stable but that of pure Cu was not.