NSUF 23-1901: Serial Sectioning to Quantify Fission Induced Microstructural Evolution in U-Zr Alloys
This work will use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to evaluate the irradiated microstructure in post-constituent-redistributed U-Zr fuels. A plasma focused ion beam will be used to mill out 25x25x25 micron cubes and serial section them for 3D SEM/EDS analysis required for model advancement. This work is unique as it is characterizing fuels with nearly identical bulk matrix microstructures with markedly different irradiation damage. Unlike historic work that relies on only as-fabricated and post-irradiated microstructures, this proposal will allow us to quantify changes observed strictly in-pile by having as fabricated analysis (completed), micro-burnup samples (historically unavailable), and prototypically irradiated samples of the same composition. The micro-burnup samples will allow for the thermal effects to be isolated, meaning that they represent a true pre-irradiated microstructure that is sparsely observed. Coupling this data with the prototypically irradiated samples will provide novel insights into pore nucleation and growth and irradiation damage accumulation without gross assumptions on microstructural evolution. The output of this work is expected to significantly advance predictive modeling and simulation capabilities by furthering our understanding of a complex and evolving system.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | This work will use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to evaluate the irradiated microstructure in post-constituent-redistributed U-Zr fuels. A plasma focused ion beam will be used to mill out 25x25x25 micron cubes and serial section them for 3D SEM/EDS analysis required for model advancement. This work is unique as it is characterizing fuels with nearly identical bulk matrix microstructures with markedly different irradiation damage. Unlike historic work that relies on only as-fabricated and post-irradiated microstructures, this proposal will allow us to quantify changes observed strictly in-pile by having as fabricated analysis (completed), micro-burnup samples (historically unavailable), and prototypically irradiated samples of the same composition. The micro-burnup samples will allow for the thermal effects to be isolated, meaning that they represent a true pre-irradiated microstructure that is sparsely observed. Coupling this data with the prototypically irradiated samples will provide novel insights into pore nucleation and growth and irradiation damage accumulation without gross assumptions on microstructural evolution. The output of this work is expected to significantly advance predictive modeling and simulation capabilities by furthering our understanding of a complex and evolving system. |
| Award Announced Date | 2023-02-08T10:51:53.887 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Zackrone |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Walter Williams |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 4593 |