Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase Precipitation
Body-centered cubic (BCC) refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) demonstrate significant potential as nuclear structural materials due to their exceptional mechanical properties and radiation tolerance. While Zr-containing RHEAs often develop multiphase structures through Zr-rich phase precipitation...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Liqiu Yong Yilong Zhong Hongyang Xin An Li Dongsheng Xie Lu Wu Jijun Yang |
| author_facet | Liqiu Yong Yilong Zhong Hongyang Xin An Li Dongsheng Xie Lu Wu Jijun Yang |
| author_sort | Liqiu Yong |
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| description | Body-centered cubic (BCC) refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) demonstrate significant potential as nuclear structural materials due to their exceptional mechanical properties and radiation tolerance. While Zr-containing RHEAs often develop multiphase structures through Zr-rich phase precipitation to enhance high-temperature mechanical performance, their irradiation response mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the microstructure evolution and radiation damage behavior in equiatomic MoNbTiVZr RHEA under Au-ion irradiation at fluences of 2 × 10<sup>15</sup>, 4 × 10<sup>15</sup>, and 1 × 10<sup>16</sup> ions/cm<sup>2</sup>. Microstructural characterization revealed that the annealed alloy primarily consisted of near-equiatomic BCC1 phase, Zr-rich BCC2 phase, (Mo,V)Zr Laves phase, and ordered Zr<sub>2</sub>C phase. Post-irradiation analysis showed distinct defect evolution patterns: the BCC1 phase developed fine dislocation loops, while the Zr-rich BCC2 and Zr<sub>2</sub>C phases exhibited dislocation clusters and dense dislocation networks, respectively. BCC1 phase exhibited the most pronounced irradiation hardening corresponding to its fine, dispersed dislocation loop characteristics. Phase separation induced by Zr precipitation reduced chemical complexity, accelerating irradiation defect evolution. These findings demonstrated that Zr-rich phase precipitation detrimentally impacted the radiation resistance of BCC-structured RHEAs, suggesting that single-phase stability should be prioritized in nuclear material design. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e03d2ff3e6c54bb8af59e24b83086e0b2025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-06-0115772010.3390/met15070720Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase PrecipitationLiqiu Yong0Yilong Zhong1Hongyang Xin2An Li3Dongsheng Xie4Lu Wu5Jijun Yang6Key Laboratory of Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, ChinaKey Laboratory of Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, ChinaThe First Sub-Institute, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu 610041, ChinaKey Laboratory of Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, ChinaThe First Sub-Institute, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu 610041, ChinaThe First Sub-Institute, Nuclear Power Institute of China, Chengdu 610041, ChinaKey Laboratory of Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, ChinaBody-centered cubic (BCC) refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) demonstrate significant potential as nuclear structural materials due to their exceptional mechanical properties and radiation tolerance. While Zr-containing RHEAs often develop multiphase structures through Zr-rich phase precipitation to enhance high-temperature mechanical performance, their irradiation response mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the microstructure evolution and radiation damage behavior in equiatomic MoNbTiVZr RHEA under Au-ion irradiation at fluences of 2 × 10<sup>15</sup>, 4 × 10<sup>15</sup>, and 1 × 10<sup>16</sup> ions/cm<sup>2</sup>. Microstructural characterization revealed that the annealed alloy primarily consisted of near-equiatomic BCC1 phase, Zr-rich BCC2 phase, (Mo,V)Zr Laves phase, and ordered Zr<sub>2</sub>C phase. Post-irradiation analysis showed distinct defect evolution patterns: the BCC1 phase developed fine dislocation loops, while the Zr-rich BCC2 and Zr<sub>2</sub>C phases exhibited dislocation clusters and dense dislocation networks, respectively. BCC1 phase exhibited the most pronounced irradiation hardening corresponding to its fine, dispersed dislocation loop characteristics. Phase separation induced by Zr precipitation reduced chemical complexity, accelerating irradiation defect evolution. These findings demonstrated that Zr-rich phase precipitation detrimentally impacted the radiation resistance of BCC-structured RHEAs, suggesting that single-phase stability should be prioritized in nuclear material design.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/7/720MoNbTiVZr RHEAion irradiationirradiation-induced dislocationsZr precipitation |
| spellingShingle | Liqiu Yong Yilong Zhong Hongyang Xin An Li Dongsheng Xie Lu Wu Jijun Yang Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase Precipitation Metals MoNbTiVZr RHEA ion irradiation irradiation-induced dislocations Zr precipitation |
| title | Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase Precipitation |
| title_full | Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase Precipitation |
| title_fullStr | Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase Precipitation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase Precipitation |
| title_short | Irradiation Performance of a Multiphase MoNbTiVZr Refractory High-Entropy Alloy: Role of Zr-Rich Phase Precipitation |
| title_sort | irradiation performance of a multiphase monbtivzr refractory high entropy alloy role of zr rich phase precipitation |
| topic | MoNbTiVZr RHEA ion irradiation irradiation-induced dislocations Zr precipitation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/7/720 |
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