Phase-field simulation of irradiated metals: Part II: Gas bubble kinetics

The phase-field model developed in Part I of this work is expanded to include fission gas generation, diffusion, and segregation within bubbles nucleated both homogeneously and heterogeneously along grain boundaries. Illustrative results are presented that characterize bubble growth and shrinkage, as well as the bubble density, size and nucleation rate as a function of the irradiation conditions. Finally, intergranular bubble characteristics such as shape, pinning energy and bubble density are investigated.

Research highlights
► Phase field model development for vacancies, self-interstitials, and gas atoms under irradiation.
► Gas bubble growth and shrinkage in single crystals.
► Intergranular gas bubble evolution in polycrystals.