Proton-Radiation-Induced Blistering of Aluminum

Abstract

High‐purity aluminum exhibited surface pitting and blistering when irradiated with protons in the 10–200 KeV energy range. Pitting occurred during irradiation and is the predominant surface damage at lower proton energies. Blistering occurred at ambient temperature for samples irradiated at energies of 70 KeV or lower. Samples irradiated at energies of 100 KeV or higher exhibited a small amount of spontaneous blistering, but annealing above 200°C was necessary to produce large concentrations of blisters. Pitting and blistering phenomena were studied using optical and electron microscopy. Attention was given to the influence of surface preparation, material purity, microstructure, and cold work on the occurrence and appearance of blistering. These observations were correlated with radiation parameters to delineate the processes responsible for blistering.