Electronic components made by inorganics (e.g., mica) play key roles in function exertion of instruments working in outerâlayer space, enduring longâterm β ray irradiation. Its damage is vital while explored rarely. Herein, pure muscovite crystals were chosen and irradiated by an electron beam (EB) in air with dose up to 1000 kGy. Then, microâgeometry morphology variation in Zâaxis and microstructural transformation mechanism were explored by XRD, FTâATR IR, TGA, XPS and CA analysis. Main results reveal that muscovite lattice is unstable to EB irradiation. With dose increases to 1000 kGy interlayer space d of (002) lattice varied 2% near 0.2 Ă
. At low dose irradiation lattice expansion is readily to occur while at higher dose it is lattice shrinkage, showing a transformation from expansion to shrinkage. Concurrently, chemical structure varied, H2O amount increased, metal element valance and surface wettability were reduced. Where, dehydroxylation occurred exceeding H2O radiaolysis and evaporation, and framework cleavage be severe. Binding energies of metals of 1000 kGyâirradiated species decreased by 0.2 eV, CA of 100 kGyâirradiated species increased by 10°. Intrinsic mechanisms involve framework destruction, Hâatom migration, hydrogen bond formation/destruction and H2O radiolysis. At low dose irradiation, Hâatom migration and hydrogen bond formation/destruction are predominant, inducing lattice expansion; at higher dose, framework cleavage is intensive and crucial, inducing shrinkage. During which, partial H2O occurred radiolysis, reducing valence. Generally, Hâatom migration and interface cleavage played key roles in microgeometry morphology variation of muscovite crystal under EB irradiation at 0â1000 kGy. To enhance muscovite geometry morphologyâstability under a longâterm βâray irradiation condition OH and hydrogen bond contents should be reduced and interface region should be strengthened (e.g., lessening vacancies or compacting stacking). This conclusion promotes design of radiationâresistant silicate material, guiding manufacture of electronic component used in aerospace industry, significant.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved