Effect of heavy ion irradiation on microstructure of zirconium alloy characterised by X-ray diffraction

Various X-ray diffraction line profile analysis (XRDLPA) techniques have been used to assess the microstructure of an heavy irradiated Zr–1.0%Nb–1.0%Sn–0.1%Fe alloy. The domain size, microstrain, density of dislocation and stacking fault probabilities of the irradiated alloy have been estimated as a function of dose by the Williamson–Hall Technique, a Modified Rietveld Analysis and by the Double Voigt Method. A clear signature for an increase in the density of dislocation with the dose of irradiation was revealed. The analysis also estimated the average density of dislocation in the major slip planes after irradiation.