Au-ion irradiation effects on microstructure and deuterium permeation resistance of Al/Al2O3 coating

Abstract Al/Al 2 O 3 coating with a total thickness of approximately 3 μ m was irradiated by 6 MeV Au-ions with the damage level from 13 to 39 dpa at room temperature. The results showed that the surface roughness of the Al/Al 2 O 3 coating decreased with increasing irradiation damage levels. As the irradiation damage level is up to 39 dpa, the crystallinity of the Al 2 O 3 layer is enhanced, and the irradiation-induced defects such as voids and dislocations appeared in the Al/Al 2 O 3 coating. The decreased hardness and the deterioration of deuterium permeation resistance are strongly associated with the changed microstructure. The underlying mechanism for the evolution of the microstructure and properties induced by Au-ion irradiation is discussed.