Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Helium Bubble Coalescence in Titanium

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the helium bubble coalescence in titanium. The influence of helium bubble coalescence on the metal microstructure was analyzed. The bubble coalescences in the bulk metal and near the metal surface were compared. When helium bubbles lie in the bulk metal, a lot of defects are induced around by the bubbles coalescence and extend outward. The coalescence of helium bubbles with 1.77 nm diameter can form a dislocation loop around them. The helium bubbles after coalescence evolve from dumbbell shape toward ellipsoid shape. When helium bubbles lie near the metal surface, the defects induced by bubbles coalescence are likely to move to the top surface, and the metal around bubble tends to restore the crystal structure. The helium bubbles evolve from dumbbell shape toward hemispherical shape.