A Brief Review of the Impact of Neutron Irradiation Damage in Tungsten and Its Alloys

Neutron irradiation poses a substantial challenge in the development and application of tungsten (W) and its alloys, predominantly in the framework of nuclear fusion and fission environments. Although W is well-acknowledged for its unique properties like its high melting temperature and higher resistance to sputtering, transmutation products, such as Re and Os, form and impact the alloy properties as a result of neutron irradiation. This transmutation effect accompanied by significant microstructure damage due to neutron irradiation can lead to the significant degradation of mechanical properties. This review surveys the literature focusing on the microstructural modifications post-irradiation and its impacts on the irradiation hardening. This review provides insights into the elaborative understanding on the neutron radiation damage on W and W alloys by exploring the microstructural evolution and hardness changes post-irradiation. The gaps and future opportunities for understanding neutron radiation damage in W are briefly summarized.. Authors: Wazeer, Adil [Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000321209957); McElroy, Tanner [Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)]; Stegman, Benjamin Thomas [Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000256779397); Shang, Anyu [Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)]; Zhang, Yifan [Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)]. DOE Contract: AC05-00OR22725; SC0024583. Subjects: 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; dislocation loop; irradiation; irradiation hardening; neutron; precipitates; tungsten; tungsten–rhenium