Void growth and coalescence in irradiated materials

Abstract : Irradiation with high energy particles induces crystalline defects in metallic materials. These microstructural changes stronglymodify the mechanical properties, leading in particular to significant hardening and strain localization at the grain scale. The effects ofirradiation on the mechanisms of ductile fracture - void growth and coalescence - are assessed in this study based on model experiments.Pure copper thin tensile samples have been irradiated with ions, showing a strong increase of hardness. Micron-scale holes drilled throughthe thickness of these samples subjecting to uniaxial loading conditions allow a detailed description of void growth and coalescence. Resultsare compared to those obtained on unirradiated materials, as well as to theoretical and numerical predictions.