Effect of laser beam thermal shock on the helium ion irradiation damage behavior of W-TiC-Y₂O₃ composites

In this work, a W-TiC-Y₂O₃ composite was successfully prepared using a wet chemical method, and the thermal shock behavior of the composite was studied under a laser beam. The influence of the thermal shock of the laser-beamed W-TiC-Y₂O₃ composite on the radiation damage behavior of helium ions was also explored. The results show that after laser beam thermal shock, the W-TiC-Y₂O₃ composite exhibited ablation and remelting in the molten region. Three different morphologies were observed on the material surface after thermal shock: molten zone, heat-affected zone and unaffected zone. Second-phase agglomeration occurred in the heat-affected zone. After helium irradiation, nanotendrils are formed in the unaffected area and the heat-affected area. However, the degree of irradiation damage in the melting zone is much lighter. This is mainly due to the columnar structure in melting zone.