Characterization of microstructure and properties of Ti35 alloy and its high-fluence hydrogen irradiation-induced surface exfoliation

YH Ye and LJR Ma and TZ Tang and TC Liu and FD Chen and XX Ge and YX Jiang and X Yu and H Huang, EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS, 139, 822 (2024).

DOI: 10.1140/epjp/s13360-024-05614-0

The Ti35 alloy is highly promising for nuclear industry applications due to its exceptional performance. However, the impacts of processing and service conditions on the alloy are not yet fully comprehended. Here we examine the effects of plastic deformation and high-fluence hydrogen irradiation on its microstructure and properties. Results show that cold rolling induces the formation of "white grains" in the Ti35 alloy, and post-annealing results in the formation of numerous twinning and significant slips. These processing methods significantly enhance the alloy's hardness, yield strength, and tensile strength. Hydrogen irradiation results in the formation of titanium hydrides within the alloy, ultimately causing surface exfoliation and intergranular cracking. Subsequent atomistic simulations reveal changes in the surface behavior of the alloy during irradiation and identify the stages that contribute to hydrogen embrittlement, thereby corroborating the experimental observations. This study offers valuable insights into the microstructure and property evolution of the Ti35 alloy, as well as its irradiation resistance in advanced nuclear energy systems.

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