Investigation of microstructural evolution of irradiation-induced defects in tungsten: an experimental-numerical approach

TL;DR

This study combines experimental and numerical methods to analyze how irradiation affects the microstructure of tungsten, focusing on defect evolution at different temperatures relevant to fusion reactors.

Contribution

It introduces an integrated experimental-numerical approach using cluster dynamics modeling and TEM characterization to understand defect evolution in irradiated tungsten.

Findings

Irradiation-induced defects depend on dose and temperature.

Cascade overlap influences defect concentration.

SIA exchange affects loop size and defect dynamics.

Abstract

The hostile condition in a fusion tokomak reactor poses the main challenge in the development and design of in-vessel components such as divertor and breeding blanket due to fusion relevant irradiation conditions (14 MeV) and large thermal loads. The current work describes the employment of an integrated experimental-numerical approach to assess the microstructure evolution of dislocation loops and voids in tungsten proposed for fusion application. Cluster dynamics (CD) model is implemented and simulations are performed on the irradiated tungsten Disk shape Compact Tension (DCT) specimen used in the experimental test. TEM characterisation is performed on the DCT specimen irradiated at 400 {\deg}C and 600 {\deg}C with around 1 dpa, respectively. The dpa rate and cascade overlap rate from the experiments and SPECTRA-PKA code, respectively, are implemented in the CD model. Based on the comparison between experimental and computational results, the dose and temperature dependence of irradiation-induced defects (dislocation loops, voids, c15 clusters) are clearly observed. Trap mediated diffusion is studied and the impact of cascades with the pre-existing defects is analysed through full cascade overlap mode and the consequent influence on the defect concentration is evaluated. The exchange of self-interstitial atoms (SIAs) and the change in the size of loops through reaction between <111> and <100> loops are studied in detail by means of the transfer rate of the SIAs.