Microstructures of 1060 Al-Alloy Irradiated by High Energy He⁺-Ion Beam:A Simulation and Experimental Study

The irradiation of high energy He⁺-ion beam on 1060 Al-alloy,an advanced material for aerospace and nuclear industries,was mathematically modeled,theoretically analyzed,numerically simulated with SRIM software and experimentally evaluated to deepen the understanding of irradiation damages.The influence of the He⁺-ion dosage on the microstructures,surface reactions and depth profile of He⁺-ion was investigated with scanning/transmission electron microscopy(SEM/TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy.The results show that at 50 keV,He⁺-ion dosage had a major impact.To be specific,the He⁺-ion had an increase-decrease depth profile; as the He⁺-ion dosage increased,the size/depth of the irradiation-pit increased,accompanied by an increasing enrichment of Si-impurity,possibly because of Si surface segregation.Moreover,the He⁺-ion irradiation resulted in formation of quite a few He-bubbles/dislocations/dislocation-loops,which continuously trapped the diffusing and segregating impurities in He⁺-ion bombardment.