Radiation stability of ZrN under 2.6 MeV proton irradiation

Zirconium nitride is a promising alternative material for the use as an inert matrix for transuranic fuel, but the knowledge of the radiation tolerance of ZrN is very limited. We have studied the radiation stability of ZrN using a 2.6 MeV proton beam at 800 °C. The irradiated microstructure and hardening were investigated and compared with annealed samples. A high density of nano-sized defects was observed in samples irradiated to doses of 0.35 and 0.75 dpa. Some defects were identified as vacancy-type pyramidal dislocation loops using lattice resolution imaging and Fourier-filter image processing. A very slight lattice expansion was noted for the sample with a dose of 0.75 dpa. Hardening effects were found for samples irradiated to both 0.35 and 0.75 dpa using Knoop indentation.