In situ He⁺ irradiation of the double solid solution (Ti_0.5,Zr_0.5)₂(Al_0.5,Sn_0.5)C MAX phase:Defect evolution in the 350–800 °C temperature range

Thin foils of the double solid solution (Zr0.5,Ti0.5)2(Al0.5,Sn0.5)C MAX phase were in situ irradiated in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) up to a fluence of 1.3 × 1017 ions⋅cm-2 (∼7.5 dpa), using 6 keV He+ ions. Irradiations were performed in the 350–800 °C temperature range. In situ and post-irradiation examination (PIE) by TEM was used to study the evolution of irradiation-induced defects as function of dose and temperature. Spherical He bubbles and string-like arrangements thereof, He platelets, and dislocation loops were observed. Dislocation loop segments were found to lie in non-basal-planes. At irradiation temperatures ≥ 450 °C, grain boundary tearing was observed locally due to He bubble segregation. However, the tears did not result in transgranular crack propagation. The intensity of specific spots in the selected area electron diffraction patterns weakened upon irradiation at 450 and 500 °C, indicating an increased crystal symmetry. Above 700 °C this was not observed, indicating damage recovery at the high end of the investigated temperature range. High-resolution scanning TEM imaging performed during the PIE of foils previously irradiated at 700 °C showed that the chemical ordering and nanolamination of the MAX phase were preserved after 7.5 dpa He+ irradiation. The size distributions of the He platelets and spherical bubbles were evaluated as function of temperature and dose.</p

On the origin of kinking in layered crystalline solids

Kinking is a deformation mechanism ubiquitous to layered systems, ranging from the nanometer scale in layered crystalline solids, to the kilometer scale in geological formations. Herein, we demonstrate its origins in the former through multiscale experiments and atomistic simulations. When compressively loaded parallel to their basal planes, layered crystalline solids first buckle elastically, then nucleate atomic-scale, highly stressed ripplocation boundaries - a process driven by redistributing strain from energetically expensive in-plane bonds to cheaper out-of-plane bonds. The consequences are far reaching as the unique mechanical properties of layered crystalline solids are highly dependent upon their ability to deform by kinking. Moreover, the compressive strength of numerous natural and engineered layered systems depends upon the ease of kinking or lack there of.Funding Agencies|CoorsTek Graduate Fellowship Program at Colorado School of Mines; ARO [W911NF1910389]; U.S. National Science Foundation through the DMREF program [1729335, 1729350]; NSF through CMMI program [1728041]; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research CouncilEuropean Commission [2016-04412]; Knut and Alice Wallenbergs FoundationKnut &amp; Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009 00971]; [KAW 2015.0043]</p