Microstructure refinement of tungsten by surface deformation for irradiation damage resistance

Surface deformation by machining is demonstrated as a way to engineer microstructures of pure tungsten for extreme irradiation environments. Thermomechanical conditions are established for microstructure refinement in the chips and the workpiece subsurface. Ultrafine grains are observed both in the chip and the subsurface, at depths relevant to the typical thickness of the irradiation-induced damage. Guidelines for producing a uniform, ultrafine-grained structure via machining and other surface deformation processes are discussed along with the implications of such microstructures for damage resistance.