Microstructure and helium irradiation performance of W-ZrC/Sc2O3 composites prepared spark plasma sintering

W-ZrC composites reinforced with Sc2O3 particles were produced by mechanical milling and subsequent spark plasma sintering. W-ZrC/Sc2O3 composites were exposed to the He ion for 2 h with 50 and 80 eV ion energies and a particle flux of above 1022 m−2 s−1 performed in a Large-power Materials Irradiation Experiment System (LP-MIES). Results showed that W, Sc2O3, and ZrC can combine well with one another to form a solid solution. Small amounts of ZrC particles can effectively capture impurity O in tungsten GBs and form nano-sized ZrO2 particles. After a large He+ ion irradiation, serious radiation damage occurred on the sample surfaces, exhibiting “fuzz” structures. With the increasing in He+ ion energy from 50 eV to 80 eV, the microhardness of the irradiated regions rose, and pores were formed on the affected area. Besides, agglomerated second-phase groups (primary ZrC with slight Sc2O3) tended to distribute outward.