Microstructural Evolution of Defects Under Proton Irradiation in Porous Cu

The high specific strength and exceptional thermal insulating properties of porous metals make them an ideal choice for aerospace structural components and thermal insulation materials. However, in the space environment, proton irradiation leads to the formation of voids, bubbles, and dislocation loops, significantly compromising their physical and mechanical properties. To date, there has been limited attention to the radiation resistance properties in research related to porous metals. This study conducted proton irradiation experiments with a total dose of 1×1017 ions/cm2 on porous Cu. This study discusses and explains the irradiation-induced damage characteristics on the surface of porous Cu before and after proton irradiation. This provides insights into the radiation damage mechanisms within the porous Cu ligaments and the hydrogen release behavior on the ligament surface. Cascade recoil and collision-induced thermal spike effects modify material defect characteristics and crystal structure. This study elucidates the defect evolution mechanism of porous materials under proton irradiation, offering new insights for the design of other radiation-resistant porous materials as protective materials for future advanced space probes.