Comparative study on radiation resistance of WTaCrV high-entropy alloy and tungsten in helium-containing conditions

Abstract

W and W-based high-entropy alloys (HEAs) are promising candidates for plasma-facing materials in fusion reactors. While irradiation studies on W have revealed a tendency for helium (He) bubble formation and radiation-induced defects, investigations of WTaCrV HEA have demonstrated superior radiation resistance, whether under He+ irradiation or heavy ion irradiation. To assess material performance under conditions relevant to fusion reactors - characterized by fast neutrons and gas production from transmutation reactions - complex irradiation environments need to be modeled. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we examined defect evolution in W and equimolar WTaCrV HEA with and without preexisting He atoms under cascade overlap conditions up to 0.2 dpa at 300 K. In W, dislocation loops and large interstitial clusters formed readily, with increasing He content leading to higher dislocation densities and the formation of polygonal interstitial networks. In contrast, the WTaCrV alloy exhibited strong resistance to the formation of dislocation loops and large interstitial clusters but was more susceptible to the formation of bubbles at higher He concentrations. Bubble growth was driven by helium trapping at vacancy sites and the coalescence of smaller bubbles. Larger bubbles remained stable against cascade overlap, limiting further growth by coalescence.