Modeling microstructural evolution in irradiated materials with cluster dynamics methods: A review

Abstract As both the design of material systems for nuclear energy applications and the number of reactor designs being proposed increase the need for material models predicting the evolution of microstructures as a function of chemistry, texture, grain size, precipitate content, etc., and irradiation conditions is steadily increasing. This manuscript aims at presenting a review of the different cluster dynamics modeling schemes that have emerged worldwide over the past decade(s). Further, the manuscript also critically discusses limitations in existing approaches and identifies potential routes for future developments.