Early stage oxidation of ZrC under 10 MeV Au3+ ion-irradiation at 800 °C

The effects of irradiation on the morphology and microstructure of the oxide formed on the surface of ZrC0.99 +/- 0.02 during irradiation with 10 MeV Au3+ ions at 800 degrees C were investigated. Nanosized oxide islands were observed on unirradiated and irradiated sample areas, indicating that the early stage oxidation of ZrC proceeded via nucleation and growth. Radiation shifted the particle size distribution (PSD) to smaller diameters, increased the circularity of the islands, and reduced the surface coverage of the specimen. Additionally, nanometric cavities were observed in oxide islands for doses above 2.5 dpa. The underlying mechanisms driving these changes were discussed.