Irradiation effect of nano-bubble dispersion strengthened (N-BDS) alloy

Nano-bubble dispersion strengthened (N-BDS) Fe was made from Fe and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) powder and irradiated by 6.4 MeV Fe3+ ions to investigate the cavity strengthening and the bubble to void evolution. The bubbles accelerated the irradiation-induced cavity growth. The hardness of the N-BDS Fe was 500 MPa higher than that of unalloyed Fe and the hardness increased by irradiation, while that of unalloyed Fe did not increase. Cavity is probably the origin of the irradiation hardening of N-BDS Fe.