| Abstract Scope |
Amorphous ceramics could be very promising candidates for high radiation tolerance since they do not contain conventional crystal defects that are induced in crystalline materials under irradiation. However, amorphous ceramics can exhibit ‘brittle-like’ behavior due to flow instability though they exhibit superior thermo-mechanical properties with respect to strength and hardness, creep and oxidation, and structural stability at high temperatures and under irradiation. We proposed to realize the strength-ductility-irradiation tolerance combination of amorphous ceramic composites (ACCs) through tailoring nanosized heterogeneities. Principles for the design of such ACCs are urgently demanded. First, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of heterogeneities-induced plasticity, heterogeneities-suppressed flow instability, and heterogeneities-enhanced irradiation tolerance in amorphous ceramics. Second, there is a lack of selection principles for metal constituents with respect to ACCs with the selected non-metal constituents. Metal elements that will be mixed with amorphous ceramics should prefer to form nanosized metal-rich clusters (or nanosized heterogeneities) in ACCs. Moreover, the phase structure and properties of the heterogeneity should be able to be modified by synthesis and annealing conditions. We built upon these principles through an iterative design process that integrates theory, modeling, and experiments. By averting plastic flow localization and enhancing irradiation tolerance, we impart to ACCs the ability to undergo both uniform plastic deformation and irradiation tolerance, markedly advancing their potential for use in nuclear industry as core structural materials. |