Shape, orientation relationships and interface structure of beta-Nb nano-particles in neutron irradiated zirconium alloy

Under neutron irradiation, radiation enhanced beta-Nb nano-precipitates develop within the alpha-grains of the Zr-Nb alloys. This radiation enhanced precipitation is of great interest since it may have some influence on the post-irradiation mechanical behavior of the material. In this paper the shape, the orientation relationship and the interface structure of such nano-particles are studied by means of both conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The radiation damage was annealed out, thanks to a prior heat treatment and a creep test, in order to easily observe the beta-Nb nanoparticles. The nano-particles exhibit a needle-like shape with a short thickness along the c-direction of 1.5 nm on average, a length and a width respectively of 6 nm and 3 nm, on average, in the basal plane. Using high-resolution TEM, a near Pitsch-Schrader orientation relationship is identified for a nanoparticle. The interface atomic structure at various locations around the nano-particle has been accurately determined and an atomic model of the interface structure has been proposed. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.