Study of the Resistance of Lithium-Containing Ceramics to Helium Swelling

The paper presents the results of studies of the resistance of lithium ceramics to helium swelling during its accumulation in the structure of the near-surface layer, and the identification of the three types of lithium ceramics most resistant to radiation degradation: Li4SiO4, Li2TiO3, and Li2ZrO3. The simulation of helium swelling under high-dose irradiation was carried out by irradiation with He2+ ions with fluences of 1 × 1016 ion/cm2–5 × 1017 ion/cm2, which allows for simulating the implanted helium accumulation with a high concentration in the damaged surface layer (about 500 nm thick). The samples were irradiated at a temperature of 1000 K, the choice of which was determined by the possibility of simulating radiation damage as close as possible to real operating conditions. Such accumulation can result in the formation of gas-filled bubbles. Through the application of X-ray phase analysis, indentation testing, and thermophysical parameter assessments, it was ascertained that among the three ceramic types, Li4SiO4 ceramics exhibit the highest resistance to helium-induced swelling. These ceramics experienced less significant alterations in their properties compared to the other two types. An analysis of the correlation between the structural and strength parameters of lithium-containing ceramics revealed that the most significant changes occur when the volumetric swelling of the crystal lattice becomes the dominant factor in structural alterations. This phenomenon is manifested as an accelerated degradation of strength characteristics, exceeding 10%. At the same time, analysis of these alterations in the stability of thermophysical parameters to the accumulation of structural distortions revealed that, regardless of the type of ceramics, the degradation of thermophysical properties is most pronounced under high-dose irradiation (above 1017 ion/cm2).