Irradiation-induced polymorphism in Fe–Cr alloys

Abstract

Abstract Direct damage evolution simulations based on electronic structure physics show a significant correlation between Cr concentration and polymorphism in the form of localized formation of C15 Laves phase structures in Fe–Cr alloys under irradiation. We elucidate the role of Cr content in the formation and stabilization of the C15 Laves phase structure, which is crucial to understanding the behavior of materials under extreme conditions. This study also reveals a connection between non-linear magnetic behavior and irradiation-induced swelling in Fe–Cr alloys. These results advance the comprehension of radiation-induced changes in magnetization and suggest a novel experimental approach for detecting C15 clusters in irradiated Fe–Cr alloys.