Behavior of an Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Ferritic Steel Irradiated in Phenix

Behavior of an Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Ferritic Steel Irradiated in Phenix
Author: P. Dubuisson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 17
Release: 1999
Genre: Dispersion strengthening
ISBN:

This paper deals with the irradiation behavior of the oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic alloy DT2203Y05, a 13% Cr ferritic alloy strengthened by a fine dispersion of yttrium and titanium oxides. This alloy was irradiated up to 81 dpa in Phénix as fuel pin cladding. The profilometry measurements confirm its high swelling resistance. Few voids, mainly associated with oxides, are observed at low irradiation temperatures, but this alloy is severely embrittled by irradiation. A few cracks are observed in the lower 2/3 of the fissile column, and the longitudinal tensile tests show hardening and severe ductility loss induced by irradiation along the whole fuel column.

On the structure-property correlation and the evolution of Nanofeatures in 12-13.5% Cr oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steels

On the structure-property correlation and the evolution of Nanofeatures in 12-13.5% Cr oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steels
Author: He, Pei
Publisher: KIT Scientific Publishing
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2013-12-24
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3731501414

Main objective of this work is to develop, by systematic variation of the chemical composition, and TMP, 14% Cr nano-structured ferritic alloys with significantly improved high-temperature properties compared to currently available ODS alloys. Application of state-of-the-art characterization tools shall lead to an integrated understanding of structure-property correlation and the formation mechanism of nanoparticles.

Processing and Characterization of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened 14YWT Ferritic Alloys

Processing and Characterization of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened 14YWT Ferritic Alloys
Author: Michael K.eith West
Publisher:
Total Pages: 100
Release: 2006
Genre:
ISBN:

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels are currently being investigated as candidate materials for nuclear applications due to their increased high temperature strength and low activation characteristics. Recent studies have shown that ODS ferritic steels containing Ti exhibit enhanced high temperature properties due to the formation of a very fine dispersion of nanometer-sized oxide clusters based on Ti, Y, and O. Studies are currently underway to examine so called 14YWT alloys with nominal compositions of Fe-14Cr-3W-0.4Ti (wt. %) mechanically alloyed with 0.25 (wt.%) Y2O3. The focus of this study was to investigate how the early stages of processing of 14YWT alloys during mechanical milling, heat treatment, and consolidation affect the structure and properties of the alloys. The 14YWT alloys were milled at different times up to 80 hours, along with alloy powder compositions of Fe-14Cr + 0.25 wt.% Y2O3 (14Y) and Fe-14Cr without Y2O3 (Fe-14Cr). The evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties during milling was examined with a combination of optical metallography, x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, and nanoindentation. Alloy powders were also heat treated and studied using high temperature x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry methods. Special attention was paid to milling parameters and temperature ranges which lead to the formation of nanosized oxide clusters in the alloys. Finally, the microstructure of consolidated alloys was examined and related to milling and heat treatment methods. Mechanical properties and microstructure during milling were similar in the three alloy powders examined regardless of dispersoid or alloy addition. Mechanical mixing of the alloy powders was inefficient after 40 hours of milling. Milling did not produce bulk amorphous phases but quickly reduced the crystallite size to ~10-20 nm. Milling also resulted in relatively uniform dissolution of Y2O3. Thermal studies in the range of 600-850 °C showed precipitation of oxide clusters occurred before consolidation which blocked recrystallization and grain growth. Results also showed retention of sub-micron sized grains at high temperature in both the annealed powders and extruded material was seen to be direct evidence of nano-cluster formation. Alloy extrusions conducted at 1175 °C showed coarse oxide precipitation while extrusions at 850 °C showed nanometer-sized clusters. The results indicated that the heat treatment temperature before consolidation was very important for producing the most favorable microstructure.

Comprehensive Nuclear Materials

Comprehensive Nuclear Materials
Author:
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 4871
Release: 2020-07-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0081028660

Materials in a nuclear environment are exposed to extreme conditions of radiation, temperature and/or corrosion, and in many cases the combination of these makes the material behavior very different from conventional materials. This is evident for the four major technological challenges the nuclear technology domain is facing currently: (i) long-term operation of existing Generation II nuclear power plants, (ii) the design of the next generation reactors (Generation IV), (iii) the construction of the ITER fusion reactor in Cadarache (France), (iv) and the intermediate and final disposal of nuclear waste. In order to address these challenges, engineers and designers need to know the properties of a wide variety of materials under these conditions and to understand the underlying processes affecting changes in their behavior, in order to assess their performance and to determine the limits of operation. Comprehensive Nuclear Materials, Second Edition, Seven Volume Set provides broad ranging, validated summaries of all the major topics in the field of nuclear material research for fission as well as fusion reactor systems. Attention is given to the fundamental scientific aspects of nuclear materials: fuel and structural materials for fission reactors, waste materials, and materials for fusion reactors. The articles are written at a level that allows undergraduate students to understand the material, while providing active researchers with a ready reference resource of information. Most of the chapters from the first Edition have been revised and updated and a significant number of new topics are covered in completely new material. During the ten years between the two editions, the challenge for applications of nuclear materials has been significantly impacted by world events, public awareness, and technological innovation. Materials play a key role as enablers of new technologies, and we trust that this new edition of Comprehensive Nuclear Materials has captured the key recent developments. Critically reviews the major classes and functions of materials, supporting the selection, assessment, validation and engineering of materials in extreme nuclear environments Comprehensive resource for up-to-date and authoritative information which is not always available elsewhere, even in journals Provides an in-depth treatment of materials modeling and simulation, with a specific focus on nuclear issues Serves as an excellent entry point for students and researchers new to the field

Characterization and Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation

Characterization and Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 70
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

Ferritic/martensitic (FM) steels such as HT-9, T-91 and NF12 with chromium concentrations in the range of 9-12 at.% Cr and high Cr ferritic steels (oxide dispersion strengthened steels with 12-18% Cr) are receiving increasing attention for advanced nuclear applications, e.g. cladding and duct materials for sodium fast reactors, pressure vessels in Generation IV reactors and first wall structures in fusion reactors, thanks to their advantages over austenitic alloys. Predicting the behavior of these alloys under radiation is an essential step towards the use of these alloys. Several radiation-induced phenomena need to be taken into account, including phase separation, solute clustering, and radiation-induced segregation or depletion (RIS) to point defect sinks. RIS at grain boundaries has raised significant interest because of its role in irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) and corrosion of structural materials. Numerous observations of RIS have been reported on austenitic stainless steels where it is generally found that Cr depletes at grain boundaries, consistently with Cr atoms being oversized in the fcc Fe matrix. While FM and ferritic steels are also subject to RIS at grain boundaries, unlike austenitic steels, the behavior of Cr is less clear with significant scatter and no clear dependency on irradiation condition or alloy type. In addition to the lack of conclusive experimental evidence regarding RIS in F-M alloys, there have been relatively few efforts at modeling RIS behavior in these alloys. The need for predictability of materials behavior and mitigation routes for IASCC requires elucidating the origin of the variable Cr behavior. A systematic detailed high-resolution structural and chemical characterization approach was applied to ion-implanted and neutron-irradiated model Fe-Cr alloys containing from 3 to 18 at.% Cr. Atom probe tomography analyses of the microstructures revealed slight Cr clustering and segregation to dislocations and grain boundaries in the ion-irradiated alloys. More significant segregation was observed in the neutron irradiated alloys. For the more concentrated alloys, irradiation did not affect existing Cr segregation to grain boundaries and segregation to dislocation loops was not observed perhaps due to a change in the dislocation loop structure with increasing Cr concentration. Precipitation of [alpha]' was observed in the neutron irradiated alloys containing over 9 at.% Cr. However ion irradiation appears to suppress the precipitation process. Initial low dose ion irradiation experiments strongly suggest a cascade recoil effect. The systematic analysis of grain boundary orientation on Cr segregation was significantly challenged by carbon contamination during ion irradiation or by existing carbon and therefore carbide formation at grain boundaries (sensitization). The combination of the proposed systematic experimental approach with atomistic modeling of diffusion processes directly addresses the programmatic need for developing and benchmarking predictive models for material degradation taking into account atomistic kinetics parameters.

Structural Alloys for Nuclear Energy Applications

Structural Alloys for Nuclear Energy Applications
Author: Robert Odette
Publisher: Newnes
Total Pages: 676
Release: 2019-08-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 012397349X

High-performance alloys that can withstand operation in hazardous nuclear environments are critical to presentday in-service reactor support and maintenance and are foundational for reactor concepts of the future. With commercial nuclear energy vendors and operators facing the retirement of staff during the coming decades, much of the scholarly knowledge of nuclear materials pursuant to appropriate, impactful, and safe usage is at risk. Led by the multi-award winning editorial team of G. Robert Odette (UCSB) and Steven J. Zinkle (UTK/ORNL) and with contributions from leaders of each alloy discipline, Structural Alloys for Nuclear Energy Applications aids the next generation of researchers and industry staff developing and maintaining steels, nickel-base alloys, zirconium alloys, and other structural alloys in nuclear energy applications. This authoritative reference is a critical acquisition for institutions and individuals seeking state-of-the-art knowledge aided by the editors' unique personal insight from decades of frontline research, engineering and management. - Focuses on in-service irradiation, thermal, mechanical, and chemical performance capabilities. - Covers the use of steels and other structural alloys in current fission technology, leading edge Generation-IV fission reactors, and future fusion power reactors. - Provides a critical and comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art experimental knowledge base of reactor materials, for applications ranging from engineering safety and lifetime assessments to supporting the development of advanced computational models.