RADIATION-ALTERED PHASE-STABILITY OF A PRECIPITATE-HARDENED COPPER ALLOY

Cu-1.15at%Cr-0.03at%Zr-0.14at%Si was irradiated with 300 keV Cu+ ions to damage levels between 0.01 and 20 dpa at displacement rates of 2.3 x 10(-5) to 2.3 x 10(-2) dpa/s and temperatures of 80 to 883 K. The effect of heavy ion irradiation on the stability of the coherent chromium phase in this alloy was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The precipitates were observed to shrink at 80 K and at room temperature as weil as at 803 K according to the square root of the fluence. After 0.1 dpa the strain contrast of the coherent chromium precipitates disappeared completely at 80 K as well as at room temperature.