Ar-ion- and electron-irradiated ZrC layers in ZrC-SiC-coated surrogate TRISO fuel particles

Surrogate tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particles, including ZrC and SiC layers, were manufactured through fluidized-bed chemical vapor deposition and irradiated. ZrC layers exhibited C/Zr atomic ratio of 0.95 without distinct crevices at interfaces in microscopy, but underwent significant microstructural changes post-irradiation. Defects included black dots and Frank loops, with increasing irradiation doses augmenting their area fractions. Frank loop density reduced at 9.4 dpa due to the formation of fewer, fully circular loops. The ZrC hardness and modulus rose by 25% and 26% following Ar-ion irradiation at 9.4 dpa, linked to the formed defects and implanted Ar ions. Electron irradiation expanded the defect-prone zone up to 100 nm from the ZrC grain boundary and led to ZrO₂ formation. ZrC grains recrystallized post electron irradiation at 700 °C, causing initial grain decomposition, amorphization, and nanocrystal formation. These nanocrystals, formed at 3.3 dpa, closely aligned with ZrC diffraction patterns with no preferred orientations.