NSUF 24-5092: Advanced microstructure characterization of irradiation impact on corrosion performance of SiC-SiC composite materials

The PI has access to 6 irradiated samples obtained from SiC-SiC composites irradiated (1.0-1.5 dpa) inside the MITR reactor in PWR conditions. Across the 6 samples, 2 different chemical vapor deposition (CVD) SiC microstructures were irradiated. Two samples from the cladding wall and a cross section of an endcap joint will be extracted from a representative specimen for each microstructure. These samples will then be packaged and shipped to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) for advanced microscopy investigations. The proposed work will complement the ongoing PIE of the samples including mechanical testing, thermal-physical properties, and other microstructural investigations such as XRD and XCT being conducted at, and being funded by, GA-EMS. Characterization at GA-EMS will capture the macro-scale property changes in the SiC-SiC composites after irradiation such as the hoop strength of material. GA-EMS has the pre-irradiation mechanical data to evaluate the change in properties after irradiation. The proposed advanced microscopic characterization of irradiated SiC-SiC composites utilizing techniques as EBSD, TEM and APT will enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving the observed property changes.

Informație Adițională

Cîmp Valoare
Awarded Institution General Atomics
Embargo End Date 2026-09-03
Facility Tech Lead Mukesh Bachhav, Stuart Maloy
NSUF Call FY 2024 Super RTE Call
PI David Frazer
PIE Facilities Materials Science and Technology Laboratory, Microscopy and Characterization Suite
Prep Facilities Materials Science and Technology Laboratory
Project Member Dr. Stuart Maloy, Senior Nuclear Materials Adviser - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8037-1319)
Project Member Dr. Yaqiao Wu, Research Professor - Boise State University
Project Member Mr. Ramprashad Prabhakaran, Scientist - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8117-2677)
Project Member Dr. David Frazer, Staff member - General Atomics (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5139-858X)
Project Member Dr. Sean Gonderman, Scientist - General Atomics
Project Type RTE