NSUF 14-518: Advanced 3D Characterization of Irradiated HT9 Cladding
The objective of the project is to characterize an irradiated sample of HT9 cladding through combined focused ion beam (FIB), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques in order to produce a multi-section 3D digital representation of the microstructure for use in MARMOT, INL’s phase field modeling framework. A 60 micron x 40 micron x 20 micron sample of HT9 cladding will be removed via FIB milling from an existing cross section of ACO-3 cladding and will be welded to a standard OmniProbe grid. Serial sections of HT9 microstructure will be created by using the FIB to remove a thin layer of material (~100 nm thick), followed by electron imaging and EBSD/EDS analysis of the exposed surface. The process is then repeated until a stack of 2D slices has been produced. Additional post-processing of the 2D slices is necessary to reconstruct the 2D slices into a 3D digital microstructure usable in MARMOT. That work will be conducted separately by the team member as part of his PhD dissertation that is currently funded through the LDRD program. The proposed effort will benefit INL by providing an accurate meso-scale representation of the HT9 microstructure necessary for computer modeling efforts. Additionally, it will assist with validation of current and future phase-field models developed at INL. Because the work is highly visible and novel, the research will result in positive exposure to INL within the nuclear community. Further, the research will help to maintain INL’s leadership role in characterization and modeling of radiation damage. It is anticipated that the project will be completed within 6 months.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The objective of the project is to characterize an irradiated sample of HT9 cladding through combined focused ion beam (FIB), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques in order to produce a multi-section 3D digital representation of the microstructure for use in MARMOT, INL’s phase field modeling framework. A 60 micron x 40 micron x 20 micron sample of HT9 cladding will be removed via FIB milling from an existing cross section of ACO-3 cladding and will be welded to a standard OmniProbe grid. Serial sections of HT9 microstructure will be created by using the FIB to remove a thin layer of material (~100 nm thick), followed by electron imaging and EBSD/EDS analysis of the exposed surface. The process is then repeated until a stack of 2D slices has been produced. Additional post-processing of the 2D slices is necessary to reconstruct the 2D slices into a 3D digital microstructure usable in MARMOT. That work will be conducted separately by the team member as part of his PhD dissertation that is currently funded through the LDRD program. The proposed effort will benefit INL by providing an accurate meso-scale representation of the HT9 microstructure necessary for computer modeling efforts. Additionally, it will assist with validation of current and future phase-field models developed at INL. Because the work is highly visible and novel, the research will result in positive exposure to INL within the nuclear community. Further, the research will help to maintain INL’s leadership role in characterization and modeling of radiation damage. It is anticipated that the project will be completed within 6 months. |
| Award Announced Date | 2014-08-11T00:00:00 |
| Awarded Institution | Center for Advanced Energy Studies |
| Facility | Microscopy and Characterization Suite |
| Facility Tech Lead | Yaqiao Wu |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Melissa Teague |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 518 |