Ion irradiation effect (Аr+, E = 20-40 keV) on the mechanical properties and microstructure of aluminum V95 alloy

Abstract

The effect of 20-40 keV Ar+ ion irradiation on the mechanical properties and structural and phase state of hot-pressed profiles 6 mm thick made of an V95 alloy (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu system) after artificial aging has been studied. Irradiation (without causing heating) at fluences of 2∙1015 cm-2 and 1∙1016 cm-2 has been revealed to increase the relative elongation by 5%, without changing the strength characteristics. Electron microscopy examination has showed that irradiation has an effect on the state of the subgrain structure of the alloy. Irradiation at these fluences results in partial enlargement of the subgrain structure, and at higher fluence of 9.4∙1016 cm-2 it completely transforms the structure into coarse-grained one. At a distance of 150 µm from the irradiated surface, there is a slight increase in the subgrain size. The irradiation changes the morphology of Al6(Fe,Mn) intermetallic compounds in both the surface layer and the sample volume; namely, it sharply decreases the bulk density of lath-shaped intermetallic compounds and increases the density of the equiaxed ones. The degree of influence depend on the irradiation mode. © 2020 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved.