Neutron and electron radiation defects in titanium and tantalum monocarbides: An electrical resistivity study

Abstract

Abstract The electrical resistivities of nearly stoichiometric titanium and tantalum monocarbides (TiC0.97 and TaC0.99) have been measured during fast neutron and 2.5 MeV electron irradiations at 21 K. The recovery of defects was followed up to 400 K. The radiation-induced resistivity increases were 10 times larger in TiC than in TaC. Only slight differences were observed between post-electron and neutron irradiations recovery spectra with a single wide stage centered around 270 K for TiC0.97 and three well defined stages around 80, 175 and 280 K for TaC0.99. Recovery was only partial at 400 K (between 60 and 80%). Results on yttrium monosulphide are given for comparison. The contributions of the different defects to the damage rates and the recovery spectra are tentatively separated.