NSUF 26-5608: Effect of Prior Particle Boundaries on Deformation Mechanisms in Irradiated PM-HIP Alloys
The objective of this project is to understand how processing artifacts alter the deformation mechanisms of Alloy 625 fabricated using the Powder Metallurgy with Hot Isostatic Pressing (PM-HIP) technique. PM-HIP manufacturing offers enhanced microstructure and mechanical properties compared to traditionally manufactured materials and enables component-scale near-net shape production. However, artifacts such as prior particle boundaries (PPBs) and inclusions in as-PM-HIP materials affect deformation and fracture behaviour. Typically, hot extrusion or forging has been used to mitigate these artifacts, but this post-processing will negate the advantage of component-scale near-net shape production and may introduce residual stresses at the joints. Therefore, to fully utilize PM-HIP manufacturing, understanding the role of PPBs on deformation behaviour is essential. We hypothesize that these PPBs would act as strain localization regions, dislocation barriers, and potential nucleation sites for fractures, hence significantly altering the plastic deformation behaviour of both irradiated and non-irradiated PM-HIP alloys. Under irradiation, these PPBs would act as additional sinks for irradiation-induced point defects, potentially improving the mechanical response of PM-HIP alloys. To investigate this, we will simulate irradiation damage under proton irradiation and conduct in-situ mechanical testing inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and high angular resolution EBSD (HR-EBSD) characterization will be carried out at regular strain intervals along different selected PPBs to investigate the evolution of deformation characteristics. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations will be conducted at various locations along PPBs to further confirm the nanoscale plasticity mechanisms and irradiation-induced microstructures. Nanoscale and microscale observations will be correlated to investigate the effects of PPBs on the deformation aspects of PM-HIP alloys. This study will provide novel insights into the role of PPBs on plastic deformation behavior, thereby extending the scope of the PM-HIP manufacturing method to nuclear applications and potentially eliminating or reducing the need for post-processing.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Awarded Institution | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| DOI | 10.46936/NSUF/60017674 |
| Embargo End Date | 2028-04-22 |
| Facility Tech Lead | Kory Linton, Lin Shao |
| Irradiation Facilities | Accelerator Laboratory |
| NSUF Call | FY 2026 RTE 1st Call |
| PI | Ronit Roy |
| PIE Facilities | Low Activation Materials Design and Analysis Laboratory |
| Project Member | Professor Janelle Wharry, Professor - University of Illinois (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7791-4394) |
| Project Member | Dr. Maxim Gussev - Oak Ridge National Laboratory (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6814-0737) |
| Project Member | Dr. Ronit Roy, Post Doctoral Research Associate - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5315-6289) |
| Project Type | RTE |