SEDL / STP / STP955-EB / STP33837S

Stability Studies of Radiation Defects in Aluminum Introduced by 600-MeV Protons

Paschoud, F
Research assistant and research associate, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale (EPFL), Lausanne,

Gotthardt, R
Research assistant and research associate, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale (EPFL), Lausanne,

Green, SL
Research officer, Swiss Federal Institute for Reactor Research, Wuerenlingen,

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1987

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Abstract

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) observations of 600-MeV proton irradiated aluminum reveal high concentrations of helium bubbles. Post irradiation annealing experiments show that the size and the distribution of these bubbles remain constant up to a temperature of about 770 K. Migration and coalescence have only been observed when the specimens were irradiated at 450 K and after annealing at 820 K. Electrical resistivity measurements show a strong increase that cannot be explained solely by the helium bubbles. This increase remains constant up to an annealing-temperature of 770 K. After the annealing treatments, no precipitation of transmutation atoms has been observed, which indicates that they are in solid solution or that they agglomerate in submicroscopic precipitates.