NSUF 24-5181: Nano indentation hardness of U10Zr

This proposal aims to investigate the mechanical properties of irradiated metallic fuels with nano-indentation to support modeling capabilities for fuel cladding mechanical interaction (FCMI). U-10Zr fuel has a very complex microstructure made of a heterogeneous mixture of multiple phases. Fuel microstructure and chemistry is further complicated by irradiation and temperature gradients experienced in a reactor environment, which causes elemental redistribution and phase changes. The proposed project will investigate the mechanical properties of irradiated fuel by performing nano-indentation on an irradiated U10Zr fuel sample to determine the hardness and elastic modulus of its component phases. This project will require access to NSUF facilities at the Materials Fuel Complex (MFC) in the Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL). The experimental plan will use shielded Plasma Focused Ion Beam (PFIB) to prepare cube shaped lift-outs from an irradiated U-10Zr sample. The lift-outs will then be subjected to nanoindentation with the Hysitron/BrukerPI88 nano indenter to determine hardness and elastic modulus of key phases in the U10Zr sample. After indentation the sample will be brought to the G4 Helios PFIB where the ion beam will be used to cut consecutive slices to generate a 3D reconstruction of the lift out cube. This technique involves software that implements an iterative slice-and-view process.

추가 정보

필드	값
Award Announced Date	2024-09-23T12:21:59.19
Awarded Institution	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Facility Tech Lead	Alina Montrose
Irradiation Facility
PI	Jake Fay
PI Email	[email protected]
Project Type	RTE
RTE Number	None