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Morphological evolution upon intense energetic particle–matter interactions is of fundamental importance for materials utilized in extreme radiation environment, and controlling surface morphology by radiation also provides a new pathway for exploring non-equilibrium process at surface. In this work, surface morphology and microstructural evolution upon low energy ion irradiation of 18Cr-ODS, a candidate structural material for cladding and first wall of future fission and fusion reactors, were investigated by in situ focused Ga⁺ ion beam/scanning electron microscopy and ex situ transmission electron microscopy. A surface roughening through pore formation, coalescence and eventually nanoneedle formation was induced on 18Cr-ODS steel surface. Cross-section microstructure analysis indicates that the formation of nanoneedle was not a result of grain recrystallization or chemical composition change. Pre …