Deciphering the role of second phase precipitates on early-stage surface morphology development of dispersion-strengthened W alloys under low energy He irradiation

•Exposure of ZrC, TaC, and TiC-doped W to low energy He ions results in ripples and pores on the surface.•W-TiC samples exhibit enhanced fuzz-like nanostructuring, while W-TaC and W-ZrC samples show no tendrils similar to pure W.•Changes in surface metal oxide chemistry during high fluence He irradiation may be driving the surface nanostructuring.