Nanotwinned metals exhibit outstanding radiation tolerance as twin boundaries effectively engage, transport and eliminate radiation-induced defects. However, radiation-induced detwinning may reduce the radiation tolerance associated with twin boundaries, especially at elevated temperatures. Here we show, via in-situ Kr ion irradiation inside a transmission electron microscope, that 3 at. % Fe in epitaxial nanotwinned Cu (Cu97Fe3) significantly improves the thermal and radiation stability of nanotwins during radiation up to 5 displacements-per-atom at 200 °C. Such enhanced stability of nanotwins is attributed to a diffuse 9R phase resulted from the dissociation of incoherent twin boundaries in nanotwinned Cu97Fe3. The mechanisms for the enhanced stability of twin boundaries in irradiated nanotwinned alloys are discussed. The stabilization of nano-twins opens up opportunity for the application of nanotwinned alloys for aggressive radiation environments.
Includes supplemental Appendix.
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