Hydrogen blistering under extreme radiation conditions

Abstract

Metallic surfaces, exposed to a proton flux, start to degradate by molecular hydrogen blisters. These are created by recombination of protons with metal electrons. Continued irradiation progresses blistering, which is undesired for many technical applications. In this work, the effect of the proton flux magnitude onto the degradation of native metal oxide layers and its consequences for blister formation has been examined. To study this phenomenon, we performed proton irradiation experiments of aluminium surfaces. The proton kinetic energy was chosen so that all recombined hydrogen is trapped within the metal structure. As a result, we discovered that intense proton irradiation increases the permeability of aluminium oxide layers for hydrogen atoms, thereby counteracting blister formation. These findings may improve the understanding of the hydrogen blistering process, are valid for all metals kept under terrestrial ambient conditions, and important for the design of proton irradiation tests.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Aluminum Foams under Tension: Influence of Oxidation

“…Most studies of mechanical degradation of Al samples focus on the influence of hydrogen on embrittlement and failure. H accumulates at the interface between Al and the oxide layer, leading to blistering, , especially under irradiation conditions . Future simulation studies might consider the early stages of H-bubble formation at the Al–AlO x interface, which under tension would provide additional pathways for H diffusion and bubble growth.…”

Surface Modification of Space Exposed Materials Induced by Low Energetic Proton Irradiation

“…Both species are accelerated separately and then magnetically deflected to a common beam line which ends at the irradiation chamber where specimens under study are located at a temperaturecontrolled sample station. The facility is intentionally designed for the investigation of radiation effects on material surfaces [21,22]. It has proven its value already in other research projects, mainly concerning deorbit sails and solar sailing [23].…”

Thermo-Optical Property Degradation of ITO-Coated Aluminized Polyimide Thin Films Under VUV and Low-Energy Proton Radiation

“…Taking into consideration a s =e t ¼ 0:51, these experiments are equivalent to 10, 24, 34, 80, and 193 hours for an energy of 5 keV and 10, 24, 32 hours, 84, and 185 minutes for an energy of 3 keV in interplanetary space conditions at a distance of 0.89 AU from the Sun. [9][10][11] The Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) package [12] and the PSTAR [13] software were used to estimate the penetration depth of protons with energies of 3 and 5 keV in a thin film of a structure such as the ones used in our studies. Assuming that the ITO thickness is less than 100 Å , protons pass through the first layer and stop in the polyimide.…”