NSUF 13-410: Characterization and correlation of SiC layer grain size/grain boundary orientation with strength/layer growth conditions - Lite

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a candidate material for a fuel matrix during extended operation of existing light water reactors and as the primary fission product barrier in next generation reactor coated particle fuel. Performance of the SiC layer on particle fuel is a function of factors, including manufacturing parameters and reactor operating conditions. Correlations among these factors and SiC properties may be quantifiable, thereby allowing improved prediction of particle performance based on a few simple measurements rather than extensive characterization. The PIs have previously correlated layer thickness and annealing temperature with the compressive strength and hardness of SiC. The objective of work proposed here is to identify relationships between SiC strength/layer growth conditions (temperature and time) and grain size/grain boundary orientation. The anticipated correlations will link to production parameters and to behavior in various environments. Further, it is expected that these correlations will provide new insight to grain boundary pathways and associated mechanisms of fission product migration through SiC layers. Co-PIs Dr. Isabella van Rooyen at Idaho National Laboratory and Assoc. Professor Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar (and graduate student) at Idaho State University will analyze SiC coated particle samples already partially characterized at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), South Africa, and made available for further study in this project. The SiC layers were characterized for compressive strength and hardness (via nano-indentation), the results of which are available for reference in work proposed here. Characterization via Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) will be used to determine grain size and grain boundary orientations of SiC layers. The PIs anticipated that FIB-EBSD analysis of these small samples with non-standard geometries would require development of a new technique. Through a previous ATR-NSUF Rapid Turnaround Experiment, this new technique was developed and demonstrated by analysis of select samples from the coated particles. As such, successful completion of proposed work is highly probable. The new technique will be used to analyze samples from a larger group differing by production parameters including SiC layer deposition method, time and temperature and annealing time and temperature. It is proposed to analyze 1 or 2 samples, taking up to the maximum allowed 6 days of instrument (FIB) time in 6 months time, which may be conducted over 6 months (January to June 2013). Resulting data will be combined with that from other studies for comparison and to form the basis for an MS thesis to be completed by August 2013. The research potential impact of the overall project is anticipated at many levels. New properties’ and relationships’ data will be developed using a new characterization technique better suited for small, thin and curved SiC samples. Although grain size and orientation of SiC previously have been measured using the EBSD technique, there are no reports of experiments or models correlating those properties with strength and layer growth conditions. Such correlations are anticipated and demonstration will reveal links between bulk mechanical properties and atomic level characterisitics. The experimental data will contribute to model development and improved capability to predict SiC behavior in various conditions and applications. In addition, results of this particular RTE will complete a subset of data that will form the basis for a master’s thesis to be defensed in August of 21013.

Tilleggsinformasjon

Felt Verdi
Awarded Institution Idaho State University
Embargo End Date 2026-02-27
Facility Tech Lead Mukesh Bachhav
NSUF Call FY 2013 RTE Solicitation
PI Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar
Project Member Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar - Idaho State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8135-629X)
Project Member Dr. Isabella van Rooyen, Senior Technical Advisor Advanced Material Systems - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8524-938X)
Project Type RTE
Publication Methods for identification of crystallographic parameters of irradiated SiC to understand fission product transport The 3rd Workshop on HTGR SiC Material Properties 2014-09-30 - 2014-10-01
Publication Methods for identification of crystallographic parameters of irradiated SiC to understand fission product transport The 3rd Workshop on HTGR SiC Material Properties 2014-09-30 - 2014-10-01
Publication Methods for identification of crystallographic parameters of irradiated SiC to understand fission product transport The 3rd Workshop on HTGR SiC Material Properties 2014-09-30 - 2014-10-01
Publication Development and Application of Advanced Characterization Techniques to understand Irradiated TRISO Fuel Behavior The 3rd Workshop on HTGR SiC Material Properties 2014-09-30 - 2014-10-01
Publication Approach and Micro-analysis techniques applied to study fission product transport mechanisms in neutron irradiated SiC layers IMRC XXIII 2014-08-17 - 2014-08-21
Publication Identification of Ag-phase in TRISO fuels by Atom Probe Tomography Materials Science & Technology 2016-10-23 - 2016-10-27
Publication Microstructure Characterization of TRISO fuels by Atom Probe Tomography TMS2016, 145th Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2016-02-14 - 2016-02-18
Publication Microstructure Characterization of TRISO fuels by Atom Probe Tomography TMS2016, 145th Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2016-02-14 - 2016-02-18
Publication Microstructure Characterization of TRISO fuels by Atom Probe Tomography TMS2016, 145th Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2016-02-14 - 2016-02-18
Publication Correlation of fission product transport to grain boundary character in neutron irradiated tristructural isotropic coated nuclear fuel particles TMS2016, 145th Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2016-02-14 - 2016-02-18
Publication Effect of Sample Preparation Techniques on Grain Boundary Characterization of Annealed TRISO-Coated Particles Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, Isabella van Rooyen Nuclear Technology 196(1) 2016-10-31 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308766634_Sample_Preparation_Techniques_for_Grain_Boundary_Characterization_of_Annealed_TRISO-Coated_Particles
Publication Electron Microscopy Study of Pd, Ag, and Cs in Carbon Areas in the Locally Corroded SiC Layer in a Neutron-Irradiated TRISO Fuel Particle Haiming Wen, Isabella van Rooyen, John Hunn, Tyler Gerczak Journal of the European Ceramic Society 38 (2018) 2016-10-31 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955221918302991
Publication Influence of SiC grain boundary character on fission product transport in irradiated TRISO fuel Journal of Nuclear Materials 473 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022311516300381
Publication Influence of SiC grain boundary character on fission product transport in irradiated TRISO fuel Journal of Nuclear Materials 473 2016-01-01 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022311516300381
Publication Precession electron diffraction for SiC grain boundary characterization in unirradiated TRISO fuel Nuclear Engineering and Design 305 2016-08-15 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002954931630142X
Publication STEM/EDS Analysis of Fission Products in Irradiated TRISO Coated Particles of the AGR-1 Experiment Journal of Nuclear Materials 475 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022311516300812
Publication STEM/EDS Analysis of Fission Products in Irradiated TRISO Coated Particles of the AGR-1 Experiment Journal of Nuclear Materials 475 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022311516300812
Publication STEM/EDS Analysis of Fission Products in Irradiated TRISO Coated Particles of the AGR-1 Experiment Journal of Nuclear Materials 475 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022311516300812
Publication STEM/EDS Analysis of Fission Products in Irradiated TRISO Coated Particles of the AGR-1 Experiment Journal of Nuclear Materials 475 (2016) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022311516300812
Publication The Effect of High Temperature Annealing on the Grain Characteristics of a Thin Chemical Vapor Deposition Silicon Carbide Layer Microscopy and Microanalysis 19 (Suppl. 2) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309295742_The_Effect_of_High_Temperature_Annealing_on_the_Grain_Characteristics_of_a_Thin_Chemical_Vapor_Deposition_Silicon_Carbide_Layer
Publication Distribution of fission products palladium, silver, cerium and cesium in the un-corroded areas of the locally corroded SiC layer of a neutron irradiated TRISO fuel particle Haiming Wen, Isabella van Rooyen Journal of the European Ceramic Society 37 (2017) 2017-04-28 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955221917302455
RTE Number 410