Effect of low-dose Xe20+ ion irradiation on the deformation behavior of the magnetron sputtered Cr coatings under nanoindentation

The magnetron sputtered Cr coatings on zirconium (Zr) alloy substrates were irradiated by the 5 MeV Xe20+ ions at room temperature, followed by the studies on microstructure, mechanical properties, and deformation behavior. The coatings exhibit structural integrity without blistering or flaking effects after the 1 × 1014 ions/cm2 irradiation, but the irradiation caused the surface particle refining and the hardening effect. The hardness of the...