NSUF 12-363: Correlating SiC grain size and grain boundary orientation with strength and SiC layer growth conditions

Objective: The overarching objective for proposed work is to contribute to the SiC knowledge base by answering key questions about SiC properties under extreme conditions. Specifically, this work seeks to reveal correlations between SiC layer grain size, grain boundary orientation and strength, layer growth conditions (temperature and time.) Approach: An international research team, led by Dr. Isabella van Rooyen at INL, incorporates Professor Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar (and PhD student) at Idaho State University and Professors Japie Engelbrecht and Jan Neethling (and PhD student) at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa. SiC samples previously studied at NMMU is made available for these studies, which will lessen the project cost and time. The SiC samples in question comprise five batches differing with respect to SiC layer thickness, deposition temperature and deposition method. The samples have spherical geometry and have been characterized for compressive strength and for hardness (via nano-indentation.) These hardness data also are available for reference in the work proposed here. Work proposed requires characterization via Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and/or Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) to determine grain size and grain boundary orientations of the SiC layers. An associated deliverable is an EBSD technique for small samples with different geometries. Samples are drawn from 5 batches, which differ by production parameters including SiC layer deposition method, time and temperature. From each batch, samples were chosen for annealing at a temperature ranging from 1000°C to 2100°C with annealing time varying from 10 minutes to 100 hours. It is envisaged that 20 samples will be analysed by ISU and 16 samples from NMMU, thereby providing a data set of 36 values and comparative analysis will be done based on temperature influence and batch influences. These analyses are expected to take approximately 2 months of full time work, which would be conducted as early as March and no later than August 2012. Parallel analyses will be performed at NMMU and the results will be compared to, and potentially combined.

Additional Info

Field	Value
Abstract	Objective: The overarching objective for proposed work is to contribute to the SiC knowledge base by answering key questions about SiC properties under extreme conditions. Specifically, this work seeks to reveal correlations between SiC layer grain size, grain boundary orientation and strength, layer growth conditions (temperature and time.) Approach: An international research team, led by Dr. Isabella van Rooyen at INL, incorporates Professor Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar (and PhD student) at Idaho State University and Professors Japie Engelbrecht and Jan Neethling (and PhD student) at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa. SiC samples previously studied at NMMU is made available for these studies, which will lessen the project cost and time. The SiC samples in question comprise five batches differing with respect to SiC layer thickness, deposition temperature and deposition method. The samples have spherical geometry and have been characterized for compressive strength and for hardness (via nano-indentation.) These hardness data also are available for reference in the work proposed here. Work proposed requires characterization via Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and/or Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) to determine grain size and grain boundary orientations of the SiC layers. An associated deliverable is an EBSD technique for small samples with different geometries. Samples are drawn from 5 batches, which differ by production parameters including SiC layer deposition method, time and temperature. From each batch, samples were chosen for annealing at a temperature ranging from 1000°C to 2100°C with annealing time varying from 10 minutes to 100 hours. It is envisaged that 20 samples will be analysed by ISU and 16 samples from NMMU, thereby providing a data set of 36 values and comparative analysis will be done based on temperature influence and batch influences. These analyses are expected to take approximately 2 months of full time work, which would be conducted as early as March and no later than August 2012. Parallel analyses will be performed at NMMU and the results will be compared to, and potentially combined.
Award Announced Date	2012-04-10T00:00:00
Awarded Institution	None
Facility	None
Facility Tech Lead	Alina Zackrone, Yaqiao Wu
Irradiation Facility	None
PI	Isabella van Rooyen
PI Email	[email protected]
Project Type	RTE
RTE Number	363