Microstructure and damage behavior of W-Cr alloy under He irradiation

In this study, a large-power inductively coupled plasma source was designed to perform the continuous helium ion irradiations of W-Cr binary alloy (W-20 wt%Cr) under relevant conditions of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Surface damages and microstructures of irradiated W-20Cr were observed by using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The addition of Cr dramatically enhanced the micro-hardness of the obtained bulk materials, and the interface between the W matrix and the second phase Cr-O is a semi-coherent interface. After irradiation, the doping of Cr element effectively reduces the damage of the W matrix during the irradiation process. The semi-coherent interface between the second phase and the W matrix improves the anti-irradiation performance of the W-20Cr alloy.