Irradiation-induced creep in nanostructured Cu alloys

Irradiation-induced creep measurements were performed on pure Cu and Cu(93.5)W(6.5). By using 1.8 MeV Kr(+) irradiation of freestanding 300 nm films, nearly homogeneous damage in excess of 100 dpa could be obtained, yielding transient and steady-state creep regimes. The steady-state creep rate was proportional to the applied stress, yielding irradiation creep compliance of 1.2 and 0.32 x 10(-4) MPa(-1) dpa(-1) in Cu and Cu(93.5)W(6.5), respectively. The microstructure of the two-phase alloy was highly stable but that of pure Cu was not. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.