Segregation and preferential sputtering of Cr in WCrY smart alloy

•Temperature driven Cr segregation to the surface of W-11.4Cr-0.6Y alloy is investigated with low energy ion scattering.•Almost no W is detectable in the topmost surface layer at a temperature of 1000 K.•The segregated Cr stays on the surface when the sample cools down.•D bombardment with 250 eV at room temperature induces preferential sputtering of the lighter alloy components and W enrichment on the surface.•D sputtering at elevated temperature results in less W surface enrichment due to the continuous flux of segregating Cr atoms.