Deuteron and helium ion irradiation of ceramic coatings on Nb-1% Zr

The surface damage to insulating barium alumino-silicate glass coatings due to irradiation by 100- and 250-keV deuterons and helium ions at room temperature and at 3000C has been studied. Blisters are observed after irradiation at room temperature with both deuterons and helium ions with energies of 100 keV and 250 keV. For deuteron irradiation a large fraction of the blisters have diameters which are approximately 3 to 5 times larger than the diameter observed with helium ions for identical irradiation conditions, but the density of blisters is nearly an order of magnitude lower. For irradiation at 3000C, no blisters are observed with either type of particle. The sharp rise in permeation rate with temperature is thought to be responsible for this behavior. The blister skin thicknesses have been measured and correlated with calculated projected-range values. (Auth.)