Irradiated Microstructures of Magnesium Aluminate Spinel and their Controlling Factors

Abstract

AbstractThis paper reviews our recent progress in study on the strong resistance of magnesium aluminate spinel to void swelling during irradiation, along with the related characteristic features of its radiation damage. Comparative experimental results on irradiated microstructures and mechanical properties in magnesium aluminate spinel and alpha-alumina are shown in terms of controlling factors of radiation resistance of the former crystal. It is experimentally shown that structural vacancies due to non-stoichiometry provide effective recombination sites for displaced cations to suppress the formation of interstitial loops. Decreased formation of interstitial loops enhances the further recombination of interstitials and vacancies and thereby the formation of voids.