A simulation study of the initial phase of He precipitation in metals

The mutation of a helium filled vacancy by emitting interstitials is studied with computer simulation for the case of αFe and Mo. For Mo a comparative study was made with three sets of potentials. In all cases there is a tendency for the emitted interstitial to remain bound to the mutated complex. Mutation proceeds at lower helium fillings if the metal potential used simulates a less rigid lattice: in that case the calculated results are also more in line with thermal helium desorption experiments. (author)