Effects of surface energy anisotropy on void evolution during irradiation: A phase-field model

A phase-field model is employed to investigate the effects of surface energy anisotropy on void evolution during irradiation. By incorporating a simple orientation dependent surface energy with sharp cusps on given crystallographic orientations, experimentally observed void shape with facets and rounded corners is captured. When applied to polycrystalline materials, grain dependent void morphologies are predicted, and the simulation results are qualitatively similar to reported void morphologies in irradiated copper. In addition, the formation of void denuded zones and vacancy depleted zones adjacent to the grain boundaries (GBs) in bicrystalline and polycrystalline structures are studied.