Study of the effect of void surface coatings on radiation-induced swelling

A theoretical investigation has been conducted into the effects on point defect diffusion of the presence of a shell of segregated material about a spherical void. The elastic image interaction of the point defect with the void surrounded by a shell of material of elastic constants which differ from those on the matrix is first computed. The interaction, which depends on the properties of the shell and the dilatation of the defect, results in an energy barrier which must be overcome when the defect diffuses to the void surface. The capture efficiency of the void for the defect is computed for a range of parameters employing this interaction. This capture efficiency is then used directly to obtain predicted effects of segregation on void nucleation and growth under irradiation. It is found that the absorption of the interstitial is reaction controlled at the void. The principal implications are that void nucleation is strongly enhanced and that the kinetics of void growth are altered significantly. Detailed derivations supporting these results are given