Damage relief of ion-irradiated Inconel alloy 718 via annealing
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS, vol.479, pp.157-162, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 479
- Publication Date: 2020
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.nimb.2020.06.038
- Journal Name: NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Analytical Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
- Page Numbers: pp.157-162
- Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Inconel alloy 718 is a high-strength and corrosion resistant alloy that is commonly used as a beamline vacuum window. The accumulation of irradiation-induced damage substantially decreases the window's service lifetime, and replacing it engenders significant beamline downtime. With this application in mind, herein we examine whether post-irradiation annealing can alleviate irradiation-induced damage of Inconel alloy 718. Inconel alloy 718 was received in a solution annealed state. We then irradiated samples using two different modalities (1.5 MeV H+ and 5 MeV Ni2+) at three representative temperatures for beamline windows (room temperature, 100 degrees C, and 200 degrees C), followed by annealing at temperatures viable for in-situ annealing processes (no anneal, 300 degrees C, and 500 degrees C). Using nanoindentation, we determined that irradiation-induced hardening occurs but is largely mitigated by post-irradiation annealing. Overall, our results suggest that in-situ annealing of radiation damage in Inconel alloy 718 vacuum windows appears feasible, which could potentially decrease beam downtime and maintenance costs.