Cracking the code of radiation resistance of inconel/GRCop-84 multimetallic layered composites (MMLCs): Interlayer misorientation

Developing robust materials capable of withstanding intense radiation environments is critical for enhancing the safety and efficiency of nuclear reactor systems. This work explores the fundamental interplay between interlayer misorientation and radiation resistance in Inconel/GRCop-84 Multimetallic Layered Composites (MMLCs), leveraging experimentally verified atomistic simulations to decode underlying mechanisms governing their mechanical performance under extreme conditions. We elucidate the relationship governing defect dynamics via systematic irradiation simulations utilizing five distinct Inconel compositions and GRCop-84 MMLCs, each comprising four misorientation interfaces subjected to successive 10 keV collision cascades up to a dose of 0.12 dpa. Specifically, our results indicate that increased interlayer misorientation enhances defect mobility yet concurrently diminishes defect sink efficiency, highlighting a critical trade-off essential for interface engineering. Our analysis reveals distinct crystallographic signatures, including defect clustering along the {1 2 0} family of planes within the Inconel layers, and along the {1 2 0} and {1 3 0} family planes within the copper layers, and stacking faults preferentially aligned along the {1 6 12} crystallographic family. These insights advance our understanding of misorientation-driven defect evolution and pave the way toward tailored microstructural designs with improved radiation tolerance in MMLCs for nuclear applications.