A comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy

Abstract The impact of helium ion irradiation on the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-45%Cr-1.4%Mo (wt%) alloy has been investigated. Analysis via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a pristine sample revealed an uneven distribution of alpha-Cr phase precipitates a...

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Main Authors: Sanjay Saini, Ranjini Menon, S. K. Sharma, P. Y. Nabhiraj, Suman Neogy, A. P. Srivastava
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11922-x
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author Sanjay Saini
Ranjini Menon
S. K. Sharma
P. Y. Nabhiraj
Suman Neogy
A. P. Srivastava
author_facet Sanjay Saini
Ranjini Menon
S. K. Sharma
P. Y. Nabhiraj
Suman Neogy
A. P. Srivastava
author_sort Sanjay Saini
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The impact of helium ion irradiation on the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-45%Cr-1.4%Mo (wt%) alloy has been investigated. Analysis via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a pristine sample revealed an uneven distribution of alpha-Cr phase precipitates along with a few isolated planar arrangements of dislocations within the fcc γ-Ni matrix phase. A detailed study of irradiated samples established the presence of radiation-induced defect clusters, dislocation loops, network dislocations as perceptible irradiation effects. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) studies also confirmed lattice swelling as an effect of irradiation in this alloy, likely caused by helium-stabilized vacancy cluster. A line profile analysis method which takes into account of planar defects, was employed on GIXRD (Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction) data to analyze changes in microstructural parameters such as domain size, microstrain, dislocation density and lattice parameter as a function of irradiation dose. All of these irradiation-damage manifestations led to the increase in the hardness of the alloy in nano-indentation experiment. Overall, the findings of this work provide significant insights into the radiation-induced microstructural changes and their effect on the hardening behavior of the studied Ni-Cr-Mo alloy.
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spelling doaj-art-e059936d8cc74b11abbe2d28e23b5c892025-08-20T04:03:00ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-11922-xA comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloySanjay Saini0Ranjini Menon1S. K. Sharma2P. Y. Nabhiraj3Suman Neogy4A. P. Srivastava5Materials Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research CentreVariable Energy Cyclotron CentreRadiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research CentreVariable Energy Cyclotron CentreMaterials Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research CentreMaterials Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research CentreAbstract The impact of helium ion irradiation on the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-45%Cr-1.4%Mo (wt%) alloy has been investigated. Analysis via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a pristine sample revealed an uneven distribution of alpha-Cr phase precipitates along with a few isolated planar arrangements of dislocations within the fcc γ-Ni matrix phase. A detailed study of irradiated samples established the presence of radiation-induced defect clusters, dislocation loops, network dislocations as perceptible irradiation effects. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) studies also confirmed lattice swelling as an effect of irradiation in this alloy, likely caused by helium-stabilized vacancy cluster. A line profile analysis method which takes into account of planar defects, was employed on GIXRD (Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction) data to analyze changes in microstructural parameters such as domain size, microstrain, dislocation density and lattice parameter as a function of irradiation dose. All of these irradiation-damage manifestations led to the increase in the hardness of the alloy in nano-indentation experiment. Overall, the findings of this work provide significant insights into the radiation-induced microstructural changes and their effect on the hardening behavior of the studied Ni-Cr-Mo alloy.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11922-xNuclear materialsIon-implantationRadiation effectsMicrostructure
spellingShingle Sanjay Saini
Ranjini Menon
S. K. Sharma
P. Y. Nabhiraj
Suman Neogy
A. P. Srivastava
A comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy
Scientific Reports
Nuclear materials
Ion-implantation
Radiation effects
Microstructure
title A comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy
title_full A comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy
title_fullStr A comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy
title_full_unstemmed A comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy
title_short A comprehensive study on the impact of He ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy
title_sort comprehensive study on the impact of he ion irradiation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a ni cr mo alloy
topic Nuclear materials
Ion-implantation
Radiation effects
Microstructure
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11922-x
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