Abstract:
The work presents the study results of the determination of the resistance of neodymium zirconate
doped with MgO and Y2O5 to radiation damage stemming from irradiation with heavy ions akin to nuclear fuel
fission fragments. The attraction towards this type of ceramics stems from its potential to raise the operational
temperatures within the core of next-generation nuclear reactors. This is owed to its superior thermal conductivity
when compared to zirconium dioxide, coupled with the heightened strength parameters that signify the ceramics'
resistance against external factors. The main results of this study are to determine the influence of the formation
of substitution or interstitial phases when adding magnesium and yttrium oxides to the composition, on increasing
the stability of the strength and thermophysical parameters of neodymium zirconate to the radiation defects
accumulation in the damaged surface layer. During the studies, it was found that the formation of impurity phases
in the form of MgO inclusions (when it is added to the composition) and a substitution phase of the Y2Zr2O7 type
(with the addition of Y2O5) results in an elevation in the hardness and crack resistance stability of neodymium
zirconate ceramics, which indicates the positive effect of doping linked to the formation of additional interphase
boundaries that prevent strain embrittlement of the damaged layer under high-dose irradiation. During
determination of the thermophysical parameters of the studied neodymium zirconate ceramics, it was observed
that the formation of interphase boundaries during doping not only enhances thermal conductivity but also
mitigates the decline in the thermal conductivity coefficient during irradiation for two-phase ceramics in
comparison with undoped neodymium zirconate ceramics.
