NSUF 20-4189: Understanding the effect of neutron attenuation on Cu-rich precipitate formation in reactor pressure vessel steels using STEM-EDS
Embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels by irradiation is a critical issue that is accepted to be the limiting factor for plan life of light-water reactors (LWRs). The primary objective of the DOE Light-Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program RPV task is the development of robust predictions of transition temperature shifts (TTS) at high neutron fluences (E > 1 MeV) pertinent to pressurized water reactor (PWR) plant operation up to, and possibly beyond, 80 years. Material from the decommissioned Zion nuclear power plant that operated for a total of 13.7 effective full power years (EFPY) is available and will provide a unique insight into degradation of the RPV. Specifically, several sections from the through-wall thickness of a high Cu weld have been harvested for microstructural analysis. The work to be conducted under the proposed work will use state-of-the-art microscopy techniques to characterize the Cu-rich precipitates at the near atomic-scale from sections of the weldment taken from various regions through the wall in order to investigate the effect of neutron attenuation on the formation mechanisms of these Cu-rich precipitates. The research is expected to be conducted within 6 months from the start of the project, including sample preparation, data acquisition, and analysis and will provide a unique insight into the role of neutron energy attenuation on the nucleation and growth mechanisms of Cu-rich precipitates in RPV steels.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Awarded Institution | Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
| Embargo End Date | 2026-02-27 |
| Facility Tech Lead | Kory Linton |
| NSUF Call | FY 2020 RTE 2nd Call |
| PI | Philip Edmondson |
| PIE Facilities | Low Activation Materials Design and Analysis Laboratory |
| Project Member | Dr. Philip Edmondson - University of Manchester (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8990-0870) |
| Project Notes | Awarded on 07/14/2020 |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 4189 |