Fundamental effects of copper on dislocation loops and mechanical property of tungsten under irradiation

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to investigate the effects of Cu on point defects, dislocation loops, and mechanical properties of W under irradiation. A realistic n-body potential of W-Cu is first corrected by the universal short-range potential of Ziegler, Biersack and Littmark for the irradiation process. Based on this potential, the point defects and mechanical properties of W and W80Cu20 solid solutions under irradiation are derived and compared with each other. It is revealed that the addition of Cu could induce the uniform distribution of point defects of W, impede the formation of dislocation loops in W under irradiation, and fundamentally improve the irradiation resistance of W in terms of mechanical properties. The simulation results are in good agreement with relevant experimental and theoretical observations in the literature, and could provide a deep understanding of points defects and mechanical properties of W and WCu solid solutions under irradiation.