Application of rate theory modeling to cluster evolution in binary Fe-Cu alloys

A rate theory model for the simulation of the irradiation-induced time-evolution of Cu-rich precipitates in Fe-Cu model alloys is presented which takes into account that precipitate clusters are mixed Cu-vacancy aggregates by explicitly allowing the defect clusters to absorb vacancies. The resulting Vacancy-Coupled Copper Clustering (V3C) model is calibrated on a series of SANS experiments on two different Fe-Cu model alloys neutron-irradiated at four different doses. Quantitative agreement with the SANS experiments could be achieved by introducing a dependence of the Fe-Cu interface energy on the amount of vacancies in the mixed precipitate clusters. This energy is a function of the weight-percentage of Cu in the iron matrix. An analytic expression for this dependence is suggested.