Spatial distribution of primary radiation damage in microstructures

Abstract The leading theory of primary radiation damage in materials, by Norgett, Robinson, and Torrens (NRT), assumes that materials are homogeneous. This is inadequate for most engineering which have rich microstructures. lack alternative theories has led to the widespread assumption microstructure only affects defect recombination not production. We extend NRT formalism account microstructural variations explicitly include caused a phase knock-on atoms produced another nearby phase. Our approach reveals new insight on interplay between microstructure, converges conventional at suitably large length-scales. Applying it real two-phase nuclear alloys we discover reversal localisation when grain size < 1 μ m: some fine-grained superalloys more matrix than precipitates, opposite true coarse-grained same composition.