NSUF 23-4662: Post Incubation Void Swelling in Tempered Martensitic Steels
The potential for void swelling in 9-12 Cr tempered martensitic steels (TMS) used in fast reactor cladding and structural components at high dpa is a very important issue. While TMS are more swelling resistant than austenitic stainless steels, they do swell at significant rates, of up to 0.2%/dpa, after a prolonged incubation period (dpai). Here, we propose to re-irradiate previously dual ion (helium plus Fe ions) irradiated TMS which contain a pre-existing population of voids along with other evolved microstructural features, mainly composed of dislocations (loops and network) and helium bubbles. The swelling in TMS which already contain voids short circuits (avoids) the large incubation dpai. Single 9 MeV Fe3+ ion irradiations at the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory (MIBL) would be conducted in three 150 dpa increments. The swelling rates would be evaluated after each increment and are estimated to be between 6 and 12% each, depending on the starting dual ion pre-irradiated microstructure. The MIBL irradiations would include a range of starting microstructures, to provide a systematic database that can be used to inform and calibrate physically based predictive swelling models. The PIE, including a variety of microstructural and micromechanical measurements, would be supported by other funding sources. The irradiations and some preliminary characterization will be completed within 9 months after the start of the award.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The potential for void swelling in 9-12 Cr tempered martensitic steels (TMS) used in fast reactor cladding and structural components at high dpa is a very important issue. While TMS are more swelling resistant than austenitic stainless steels, they do swell at significant rates, of up to 0.2%/dpa, after a prolonged incubation period (dpai). Here, we propose to re-irradiate previously dual ion (helium plus Fe ions) irradiated TMS which contain a pre-existing population of voids along with other evolved microstructural features, mainly composed of dislocations (loops and network) and helium bubbles. The swelling in TMS which already contain voids short circuits (avoids) the large incubation dpai. Single 9 MeV Fe3+ ion irradiations at the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory (MIBL) would be conducted in three 150 dpa increments. The swelling rates would be evaluated after each increment and are estimated to be between 6 and 12% each, depending on the starting dual ion pre-irradiated microstructure. The MIBL irradiations would include a range of starting microstructures, to provide a systematic database that can be used to inform and calibrate physically based predictive swelling models. The PIE, including a variety of microstructural and micromechanical measurements, would be supported by other funding sources. The irradiations and some preliminary characterization will be completed within 9 months after the start of the award. |
| Award Announced Date | 2023-06-01T08:59:31.12 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Kevin Field |
| Irradiation Facility | Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory |
| PI | Takuya Yamamoto |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | None |