NSUF 14-469: Intercompound Formation and Radiation Responses of Diffusion Couples
The project is aimed to understand intercompound formation and radiation responses of diffusion couples made of deleted uranium (U) and various metals (Fe, Zr, Ni, Mo and Cr). First, a polished single crystal U is mechanical bonded with metals and form diffusion couples through thermal annealing in vacuum over a prolonged period, i.e. a few days, depending on kinetics of metal diffusion and regions of interest in phase diagrams. Second, part of the diffusion couples are irradiated by 2 MeV He ions. Third, microstructure and microchemistry of samples, with or without irradiation, are compared, by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused-ion beam (FIB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The project expects to have the following significant impact: (1) it will provide validation on phase diagram and phase field theories concerning uranium: (2) it will reveal radiation induced structural changes of different phases; (3) it will accelerate our understanding of fuel-cladding interactions; (4) it will help to separate effects from grain boundaries for understanding materials’ intrinsic properties, since single crystals are used for fabrications of diffusion couples. Sample fabrications and ion irradiations will be performed at the Texas A&M University. The FIB will be used to prepare specimens at CAES by the student and atomic scale characterization will be performed by the Idaho National Laboratory team. The project involves three investigators and one graduate student. The expected period of performance is Jan. to Feb. of 2014.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The project is aimed to understand intercompound formation and radiation responses of diffusion couples made of deleted uranium (U) and various metals (Fe, Zr, Ni, Mo and Cr). First, a polished single crystal U is mechanical bonded with metals and form diffusion couples through thermal annealing in vacuum over a prolonged period, i.e. a few days, depending on kinetics of metal diffusion and regions of interest in phase diagrams. Second, part of the diffusion couples are irradiated by 2 MeV He ions. Third, microstructure and microchemistry of samples, with or without irradiation, are compared, by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused-ion beam (FIB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The project expects to have the following significant impact: (1) it will provide validation on phase diagram and phase field theories concerning uranium: (2) it will reveal radiation induced structural changes of different phases; (3) it will accelerate our understanding of fuel-cladding interactions; (4) it will help to separate effects from grain boundaries for understanding materials’ intrinsic properties, since single crystals are used for fabrications of diffusion couples. Sample fabrications and ion irradiations will be performed at the Texas A&M University. The FIB will be used to prepare specimens at CAES by the student and atomic scale characterization will be performed by the Idaho National Laboratory team. The project involves three investigators and one graduate student. The expected period of performance is Jan. to Feb. of 2014. |
| Award Announced Date | 2013-11-22T00:00:00 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Yaqiao Wu |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Lin Shao |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 469 |