Russian and Kazakh scientists studied how powerful krypton ion irradiation affects the structure and properties of ceramics—a material widely used today in nuclear reactors, gas turbine engines, and space technology, the Russian ministry explained.
"It turned out that controlled ion exposure can not only simulate radiation damage but also be used as a tool for 'training' the material for endurance. In the future, this will help create a new generation of functional ceramic materials capable of working effectively where others lose strength—in nuclear reactors, space, and the high-energy installations of the future," stated the report from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
At a moderate irradiation level, ions even give the material additional strength: a parameter such as microhardness (the hardness of individual sections of the material's microstructure) increases almost twofold, emphasized the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
"This means that ion irradiation not only caused destruction but also literally 'restructured' the material, promoting the formation of more stable structures. Essentially, a properly selected dose of ion exposure turns defects from a destructive factor into a mechanism of material self-stabilization," explained the Russian co-author of the study, Igor Karpov.
According to the scientists, the results of the work help to understand how to create materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions—for example, cladding for fuel elements in next-generation reactors, protective coatings for engines, or components of spacecraft.