Steady-state dynamical phase diagram calculation of U–Nb binary system under irradiation: Ballistic effect

Abstract A kinetic model involved in ballistic effects has been used for studying the steady-state configuration under irradiation, with considering the irradiation-enhanced diffusion. By applying this model to all the solid phases, the dynamical phase diagram of U–Nb system under irradiation is calculated and critically compared with the assessed thermodynamic equilibrium phase diagram. The calculated results indicate that the irradiation has little effect on the phase relationships of U–Nb system at high temperatures. However, it leads to the close of the miscibility gap of U–Nb system at relatively low temperatures. Meanwhile, the high-temperature stable γ(U,Nb) phase is stabilized by the irradiation, which is in agreement with the available experimental results.