NSUF 18-1374: Characterization of Neutron-Irradiated Zr-1Nb-O Using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
The niobium, an alloying element in zirconium alloys, advances tolerance to the radiation damage during nuclear reactor operation. The knowledge of the irradiation-induced microstructural evolution of ß-Nb precipitates in neutron-irradiated nuclear fuel cladding of Zr-1Nb-O is limited. In this research, we propose a TEM study on the effect of neutron-irradiation on ß-Nb precipitates to explain the how ß-Nb microstructure evolves in the oxide layer, metal-oxide interface, and metal regions of high-burnup Zr-1Nb-O alloy nuclear fuel rod cladding. The sample is available at INL’s Hot Fuel Examination Facility. Microstructural characterization will be performed using the FEI Talos S/TEM optimized for elemental characterization. S/TEM with EDX will be conducted to determine ß-Nb microstructure, Nb chemistry, dislocation structure and irradiation-induced features evolved during irradiation. The acquired data will enable a greater understanding of how Nb microstructure is affected in Zr-Nb-O alloy system at high-burnups.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The niobium, an alloying element in zirconium alloys, advances tolerance to the radiation damage during nuclear reactor operation. The knowledge of the irradiation-induced microstructural evolution of ß-Nb precipitates in neutron-irradiated nuclear fuel cladding of Zr-1Nb-O is limited. In this research, we propose a TEM study on the effect of neutron-irradiation on ß-Nb precipitates to explain the how ß-Nb microstructure evolves in the oxide layer, metal-oxide interface, and metal regions of high-burnup Zr-1Nb-O alloy nuclear fuel rod cladding. The sample is available at INL’s Hot Fuel Examination Facility. Microstructural characterization will be performed using the FEI Talos S/TEM optimized for elemental characterization. S/TEM with EDX will be conducted to determine ß-Nb microstructure, Nb chemistry, dislocation structure and irradiation-induced features evolved during irradiation. The acquired data will enable a greater understanding of how Nb microstructure is affected in Zr-Nb-O alloy system at high-burnups. |
| Award Announced Date | 2018-05-17T10:52:36.05 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Zackrone |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Mahmut Cinbiz |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 1374 |