NSUF 16-687: Parametric study of factors affecting precipitation in model FeCrAl alloys
The objective of this project is to investigate the factors affecting alpha’ precipitation in neutron-irradiated ODS and non-ODS FeCrAl alloys. The precipitation of the alpha’ phase has been previously studied in irradiated Fe-Cr binary systems and initial results for ternary FeCrAl alloys have demonstrated key differences between the two systems. Al addition is expected to shift the alpha-alpha’ phase boundary to higher Cr compositions, and has been shown to result in the formation of precipitates that are less enriched in Cr, though this effect hasn’t been explicitly quantified. Additionally, fundamental questions remain regarding how alpha’ precipitation kinetics are affected by irradiation temperature and the presence of oxide nanoclusters in ODS materials. This project requires advanced microanalysis techniques including focused ion beam (FIB) sample fabrication and atom probe tomography (APT). FIB fabrication is required to create the samples necessary to perform APT analysis. APT analysis provides data that allows for quantification and visualization of the size, number density and composition of precipitates contained within the bulk matrix and is the de facto method for precipitate characterization. APT data collected from a selected subset of neutron-irradiated FeCrAl alloys will provide insight into precipitation mechanisms and resulting mechanical performance, thereby addressing the current knowledge gaps in the FeCrAl alloy class. The fundamental understanding of precipitation kinetics in the FeCrAl alloy class will increase the technology readiness level of FeCrAl alloys. Furthermore, this work serves as a direct correlation study to Fe-Cr alloys currently under investigation as part of the ATR-1 and ATR-2 irradiation experiment and to irradiated FeCrAl alloys studied previously under NSUF-RTE proposal 15-556. On the whole, information gained from the proposed work will have broad reaching impacts on ferrous-based alloy development for nuclear power generation including cladding, structural materials, and corrosion barrier systems in fusion and fission systems. This project is predicted to take no more than 5 months to complete. Fabrication of APT samples using FIB techniques is estimated to take no more than 2 months. Data collection of APT samples is expected to take less than two weeks. Data analysis and reporting will take approximately 2 months from the date of initial data collection.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The objective of this project is to investigate the factors affecting alpha’ precipitation in neutron-irradiated ODS and non-ODS FeCrAl alloys. The precipitation of the alpha’ phase has been previously studied in irradiated Fe-Cr binary systems and initial results for ternary FeCrAl alloys have demonstrated key differences between the two systems. Al addition is expected to shift the alpha-alpha’ phase boundary to higher Cr compositions, and has been shown to result in the formation of precipitates that are less enriched in Cr, though this effect hasn’t been explicitly quantified. Additionally, fundamental questions remain regarding how alpha’ precipitation kinetics are affected by irradiation temperature and the presence of oxide nanoclusters in ODS materials. This project requires advanced microanalysis techniques including focused ion beam (FIB) sample fabrication and atom probe tomography (APT). FIB fabrication is required to create the samples necessary to perform APT analysis. APT analysis provides data that allows for quantification and visualization of the size, number density and composition of precipitates contained within the bulk matrix and is the de facto method for precipitate characterization. APT data collected from a selected subset of neutron-irradiated FeCrAl alloys will provide insight into precipitation mechanisms and resulting mechanical performance, thereby addressing the current knowledge gaps in the FeCrAl alloy class. The fundamental understanding of precipitation kinetics in the FeCrAl alloy class will increase the technology readiness level of FeCrAl alloys. Furthermore, this work serves as a direct correlation study to Fe-Cr alloys currently under investigation as part of the ATR-1 and ATR-2 irradiation experiment and to irradiated FeCrAl alloys studied previously under NSUF-RTE proposal 15-556. On the whole, information gained from the proposed work will have broad reaching impacts on ferrous-based alloy development for nuclear power generation including cladding, structural materials, and corrosion barrier systems in fusion and fission systems. This project is predicted to take no more than 5 months to complete. Fabrication of APT samples using FIB techniques is estimated to take no more than 2 months. Data collection of APT samples is expected to take less than two weeks. Data analysis and reporting will take approximately 2 months from the date of initial data collection. |
| Award Announced Date | 2016-08-16T12:58:48.32 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Yaqiao Wu |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Samuel A. Briggs |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 687 |