NSUF 18-1433: A comparative study of the radiation response of Fe–12Cr, Fe–14Cr, Fe–19Cr model alloys and a Fe–14Cr ODS alloy
The objective of this program is to investigate the neutron radiation response of Fe–12Cr, Fe–14Cr, and Fe–19Cr model alloys and a Fe–14Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy. These are the highest neutron dose alloys for these compositions currently available. These alloys were selected to answer several critical questions: (1) the effect of chromium on the microstructural evolution of Fe–Cr alloys under neutron irradiation, and (2) the effect of Y–Ti–O nanoclusters on the radiation resistance of Fe–14Cr alloys. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) will be employed to carry out the microstructure characterization, i.e. radiation-enhanced a' precipitation, radiation-induced dislocation loops, elemental segregation at defect sinks, and void formation. For Fe–14Cr ODS alloy, the stability of the nanoclusters will also be investigated. High Cr (=9%Cr) F/M steels are important candidate structural materials for advanced reactors. The radiation effects of most concern in high Cr F/M steels are low-temperature irradiation-induced embrittlement and irradiation hardening, which are closely related to the radiation-induced dislocation loop formation and a' precipitation. To this end, this program selected the specimens from the lowest available irradiation temperature, 300°C, at the highest available doses. This program is expected to provide systematic results on the a' precipitation and dislocation loop evolution in neutron-irradiated Fe–Cr model alloys and Fe–14Cr ODS alloy. The experimental data from this program will be used to (1) understand the effect of chromium content on the microstructure evolution, (2) verify the most recent a–a' phase boundary, and (3) understand the effect of Y–Ti–O nanoclusters on the radiation resistance of Fe–14Cr alloy. The results will also be compared to neutron irradiation data of exactly the same materials at lower doses. All the neutron irradiation exposures have been completed in a previous project, and the samples are readily available for post-irradiation examination (PIE). The corresponding archive samples and several samples irradiated to lower doses have also been examined in previous projects. All the PIE experiments proposed here are expected to be completed within the six-month period after the proposal is awarded. Based on our previous experiences with RTE projects, the proposed experiments will be able to be completed within three weeks of instrument time.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The objective of this program is to investigate the neutron radiation response of Fe–12Cr, Fe–14Cr, and Fe–19Cr model alloys and a Fe–14Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy. These are the highest neutron dose alloys for these compositions currently available. These alloys were selected to answer several critical questions: (1) the effect of chromium on the microstructural evolution of Fe–Cr alloys under neutron irradiation, and (2) the effect of Y–Ti–O nanoclusters on the radiation resistance of Fe–14Cr alloys. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) will be employed to carry out the microstructure characterization, i.e. radiation-enhanced a' precipitation, radiation-induced dislocation loops, elemental segregation at defect sinks, and void formation. For Fe–14Cr ODS alloy, the stability of the nanoclusters will also be investigated. High Cr (=9%Cr) F/M steels are important candidate structural materials for advanced reactors. The radiation effects of most concern in high Cr F/M steels are low-temperature irradiation-induced embrittlement and irradiation hardening, which are closely related to the radiation-induced dislocation loop formation and a' precipitation. To this end, this program selected the specimens from the lowest available irradiation temperature, 300°C, at the highest available doses. This program is expected to provide systematic results on the a' precipitation and dislocation loop evolution in neutron-irradiated Fe–Cr model alloys and Fe–14Cr ODS alloy. The experimental data from this program will be used to (1) understand the effect of chromium content on the microstructure evolution, (2) verify the most recent a–a' phase boundary, and (3) understand the effect of Y–Ti–O nanoclusters on the radiation resistance of Fe–14Cr alloy. The results will also be compared to neutron irradiation data of exactly the same materials at lower doses. All the neutron irradiation exposures have been completed in a previous project, and the samples are readily available for post-irradiation examination (PIE). The corresponding archive samples and several samples irradiated to lower doses have also been examined in previous projects. All the PIE experiments proposed here are expected to be completed within the six-month period after the proposal is awarded. Based on our previous experiences with RTE projects, the proposed experiments will be able to be completed within three weeks of instrument time. |
| Award Announced Date | 2018-05-17T11:05:39.91 |
| Awarded Institution | Center for Advanced Energy Studies |
| Facility | Microscopy and Characterization Suite |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Zackrone, Yaqiao Wu |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | James Stubbins |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 1433 |