NSUF 24-4867: Advanced characterization to identify phases formed of irradiated annular U-4Pd-13Zr fuel

The objective of the proposed work is to identify the local phases of irradiated U-Pd-Zr fuel for a quantitative cross-section analysis and to compare to the classical binary (U-10Zr solid) fuels system. Such analyses will provide important insight into the microstructure and chemistry of this advanced fuel form and thus information on possible fuel performance. Pd is added to metallic fuel as an additive to improve fuel performance limiting phenomenon. It is believed that the addition of Pd can bind lanthanides (which attack the cladding during normal operation) thus reducing FCCI (Fuel Cladding Chemical Interaction) and cladding wastage. In this proposal, we will use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify the phases’ crystal structure, and chemical composition. Element energy loss spectrum (EELs) data will be collected to confirm the chemical elements and peaks. A new component of 4D STEM in Titan will collect and analyze the strain field information in the local area to precisely identify the element concentration of each phase. Finally, atomic probe tomography (APT) will be employed to generate the 3D microstructure data. Based on our premilitary SEM data analysis on the cross-section, we identified the Pd existing in the Region 1 and Region 3 covering all the phases of the Region 2 and Region 4. Thus, we propose to lift out 2 TEM samples from the Region 1 and Region 3, which need 4 days Focus Ion Beam (FIB) Quata instrument, 3 days TEM and 3 days for APT data collection. All the instruments are in the Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). To prepare the sample for Quata instrument, one day of sample preparation time at the IMCL to polish the sample surface to a suitable finish is also requested. Sample transfer is needed as the sample (93C) is currently located in the EML.

추가 정보

필드	값
Award Announced Date	2024-02-02T12:32:23.783
Awarded Institution	Idaho National Laboratory
Facility Tech Lead	Alina Montrose
Irradiation Facility
PI	Fei Xu
PI Email	[email protected]
Project Type	RTE
RTE Number	None