Two-dimensional vacancy platelets as precursors for basal dislocation loops in hexagonal zirconium

Abstract

Zirconium alloys are widely used in the nuclear industry, but long-time irradiation leads to shape changes and irradiation growth that relate to basal dislocation loops in zirconium. Here the authors discern nanoscale triangle-shaped vacancy platelets in helium-irradiated zirconium, which are a precursor of basal dislocation loops.