NSUF 17-954: Study of nanocluster stability in neutron- and ion-irradiated ODS FeCrAl alloys
The objective of this project is to compare the resulting microstructures between neutron and ion irradiation experiments for an ODS FeCrAl alloy. Developing methods for correlating the microstructures between neutron and ion irradiation experiments is an ongoing research effort and is an even more complex problem for nanofeatured ODS materials due to the effects of nanocluster ballistic dissolution and the inherently high defect sink density in these materials. Systematic studies such as the proposed work are rarely performed and provide invaluable benchmarking data points for the development of robust methods for simulation and prediction of neutron irradiation response using accelerated ion beam irradiation experiments. This project requires advanced microanalysis techniques including focused ion beam (FIB) sample fabrication and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FIB fabrication is required to create the samples necessary to perform TEM analysis on neutron-irradiated specimens, as the activated sample volume is reduced to a point that it can be safely handled outside of radiation areas. TEM analysis provides data and images that allow for quantification and visualization of the size and number density of oxide nanoclusters and other radiation-induced defects contained within the bulk matrix. TEM data collected from neutron-irradiated ODS FeCrAl alloys will provide insight into nanocluster stability and microstructural evolution under simulated LWR conditions. TEM data collected during in-situ ion irradiation will allow for dynamic observations of microstructural evolution with increasing dose and provide insight into the dose rate dependence of nanocluster stability at given temperatures. Ultimately, comparison of the final microstructures will enhance the fundamental understanding of radiation damage kinetics in ferritic ODS alloys and inform future efforts to simulate in-core radiation damage behavior using ion irradiation experiments. Additionally, a detailed understanding how the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys is affected by the presence of a fine dispersion of oxide will increase the technology readiness level of FeCrAl alloys. 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 6 months to complete. Fabrication of TEM samples using FIB techniques is estimated to take no more than 2 months. Ex-situ TEM data collection of as-received and neutron-irradiated samples is expected to take less than one month. In-situ ion irradiation experimentation and data collection is expected to take approximately one month. Data analysis and reporting will take approximately 2 months from the date of final data collection.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The objective of this project is to compare the resulting microstructures between neutron and ion irradiation experiments for an ODS FeCrAl alloy. Developing methods for correlating the microstructures between neutron and ion irradiation experiments is an ongoing research effort and is an even more complex problem for nanofeatured ODS materials due to the effects of nanocluster ballistic dissolution and the inherently high defect sink density in these materials. Systematic studies such as the proposed work are rarely performed and provide invaluable benchmarking data points for the development of robust methods for simulation and prediction of neutron irradiation response using accelerated ion beam irradiation experiments. This project requires advanced microanalysis techniques including focused ion beam (FIB) sample fabrication and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FIB fabrication is required to create the samples necessary to perform TEM analysis on neutron-irradiated specimens, as the activated sample volume is reduced to a point that it can be safely handled outside of radiation areas. TEM analysis provides data and images that allow for quantification and visualization of the size and number density of oxide nanoclusters and other radiation-induced defects contained within the bulk matrix. TEM data collected from neutron-irradiated ODS FeCrAl alloys will provide insight into nanocluster stability and microstructural evolution under simulated LWR conditions. TEM data collected during in-situ ion irradiation will allow for dynamic observations of microstructural evolution with increasing dose and provide insight into the dose rate dependence of nanocluster stability at given temperatures. Ultimately, comparison of the final microstructures will enhance the fundamental understanding of radiation damage kinetics in ferritic ODS alloys and inform future efforts to simulate in-core radiation damage behavior using ion irradiation experiments. Additionally, a detailed understanding how the radiation tolerance of FeCrAl alloys is affected by the presence of a fine dispersion of oxide will increase the technology readiness level of FeCrAl alloys. 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 6 months to complete. Fabrication of TEM samples using FIB techniques is estimated to take no more than 2 months. Ex-situ TEM data collection of as-received and neutron-irradiated samples is expected to take less than one month. In-situ ion irradiation experimentation and data collection is expected to take approximately one month. Data analysis and reporting will take approximately 2 months from the date of final data collection. |
| Award Announced Date | 2017-04-26T10:06:54.76 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Kory Linton |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Samuel A. Briggs |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 954 |