Phase transitions and He bubble evolution under sequential He ions implantation and Fe ions irradiation: New insight into the irradiation resistant of Ti3AlC2

The phase transitions and He bubble evolution in Ti3AlC2 with the sequential He ions implantation and Fe ions irradiation at room temperature were investigated with grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The pre-implanted He makes an obviously effect of suppressing the phase transitions caused by the following Fe ions irradiation. The following Fe ions irradiation was also found to create a competitive effect on the evolution of the pre-formed He bubbles. It can cause not only the growth of He bubbles, but the shrinkage (or re-solution of He bubbles). This will improve the resistance to He bubbles induced damage for Ti3AlC2. Both He ions implantation and Fe ions irradiation actually inhibit each other's irradiation damage to the material. This may play a positive role in reducing irradiation damage to the Ti3AlC2 material, and also provides new insight into irradiation resistance of this material.