Swift heavy ion irradiation effect on structural, morphological and mechanical properties of Zr70Ni30 metallic glass

Metallic glass films are considered for coating applications in the nuclear field owing to their advantageous performances. However, the response to irradiation remains to be more thoroughly characterized. Zr70Ni30 metallic glass films were irradiated by 0.71MeV/u(129)Xe(23+) ions in the fluence range from 5 x 10(12) to 8 x 10(13) ions cm(-2). The structural, morphological, and mechanical properties were determined using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and nanoindentation for the as-deposited and irradiated samples. The Xe ion induced surface smoothening, thereby increasing the corrosion resistance. One-dimensional power spectral density of the AFM data of irradiated film demonstrated that the irradiation-induced evolution of the surface morphology could be attributed to a transition between viscous flow and the evaporation-condensation mechanism. The amorphous structure was unaffected after irradiation up to a fluence of 8 x 10(13) ions cm(-2). Nanoindentation revealed first a softening as the fluence increases up to 4 x 10(13) ions cm(-2), reflecting the creation of free volume defects. Then the hardness and Young's modulus slightly increase when reaching 8 x 10(13) ions cm(-2). Moreover, at a critical dose of 0.008 dpa, the hardness is found to increase. Moreover, the calculation of the inelastic thermal spike model reveals the formation of the track with a radius of 7 nm.

Automated summary

Metallic glass films are potential coatings in the nuclear field, but their response to irradiation needs further research. Zr70Ni30 metallic glass films were irradiated by 0.71MeV/u(129)Xe(23+) ions, and changes in structure, morphology, and mechanical properties were studied. The irradiation increased surface smoothening and corrosion resistance. AFM data showed that the surface morphology evolution was due to a transition between viscous flow and evaporation-condensation mechanism. The amorphous structure remained unaffected after irradiation. Nanoindentation revealed softening initially, followed by a slight increase in hardness and Young's modulus. At a critical dose of 0.008 dpa, the hardness increased. The inelastic thermal spike model predicted a track with a radius of 7 nm.