Simultaneous irradiation and thermal effects on 16 MeV proton irradiated tungsten samples

16 MeV protons have been used to irradiate 300 mu m thick macroscopic W samples in a pilot experiment to 0.006 dpa damage dose under low and high temperature scenarios of similar to 373 K and similar to 1223 K, respectively. The linear pre-Bragg region has been used for damage where the electronic loss (heat) in the sample amounts to 1.5 MW center dot m(-2). Post high-temperature irradiation, the W sample has been recrystallized as seen under the scanning electron microscope. Indentation measurements on the surface show a softening of 0.6 GPa post-recrystallization against an irradiation hardening of 0.8 GPa for the low-temperature irradiation scenario.

Automated summary

In a pilot experiment, 16 MeV protons were used to irradiate 300 μm thick W samples to a damage dose of 0.006 dpa under low and high temperature conditions. The electronic loss in the sample was observed to be 1.5 MW·m(-2) in the pre-Bragg region. Post high-temperature irradiation, recrystallization of the W sample was observed, leading to a surface softening of 0.6 GPa.