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Wharry, Janelle P.

Publications and source records attributed to Wharry, Janelle P..

32 records · Page 2

A data science approach for analysis and reconstruction of spinodal-like composition fields in irradiated FeCrAl alloys

A statistical method for the analysis of continuously distributed data representative of composition fluctuations in irradiated FeCrAl alloys acquired using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) method is presented. Using probability distribution functions, direct and cross-covariances between the elemental compositions, the effects of alloy composition and irradiation dose were investigated on the spatial distribution and length scale of composition fluctuations at the nanoscale. We have observed that, for neutron-irradiated FeCrAl alloys, the distribution of Fe and Cr followed a left-skewed and right-skewed distribution, respectively for all (average) alloy compositions and irradiation doses. The analysis also revealed enhanced spatial gradients in the elemental compositions at higher irradiation dose. Direct and cross-covariance estimates of the experimental data were also utilized for reconstruction of composition data through fitting it to a parametric form of the covariance functions. Linear Model of Coregionalization was used to determine the parameters of the covariance functions. Subsequently, a spectral method was utilized for simulating a realization of the alloy compositions. Close correspondence was observed between the experimental and the reconstructed data which was analyzed using probability distribution functions and covariance functions. Composition space of the experimental and reconstructed data and dislocation velocities as a function of applied stress and line directions over the entire composition maps were also examined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Role of point defects in stress-induced martensite transformations in NiTi shape memory alloys: A molecular dynamics study

Shape-memory properties of equiatomic NiTi rely on the thermal- or stress-induced reversible martensitic phase transformation between the $\textit{B}$2 and $\textit{B}$19' phases. Irradiation defects suppress thermal-induced transformations, but their effects on stress-induced transformations are poorly understood. In this work, we use molecular dynamics to investigate the effect of vacancies, vacancy clusters, interstitials, and antisite defects on stress-induced transformations. All defects suppress the transformation, but vacancy clusters do so to the greatest extent, while antisite defects do so to the least extent. The responsible mechanisms are grain boundary pinning and chemical disordering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modulating the Pseudoelastic Response of NiTi Using Ion Implantation

Ni-ion irradiated NiTi is nearly 50% harder, retains 85% recoverable deformation, and has reduced hysteresis. This work explores the feasibility of using ion beam modification to modulate the austenite to martensite phase transformation in NiTi, thereby achieving novel or localized properties in near-surface regions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modulating the Pseudoelastic Response of NiTi Using Ion Implantation

Ni-ion irradiated NiTi is nearly 50% harder, retains 85% recoverable deformation, and has reduced hysteresis. This work explores the feasibility of using ion beam modification to modulate the austenite to martensite phase transformation in NiTi, thereby achieving novel or localized properties in near-surface regions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modulating the Pseudoelastic Response of Nitinol Using Ion Implantation

This work explores whether ion beam modification can be used to modulate the austenite to martensite phase transformation in Nickel-Titanium (NiTi), thereby achieving novel or localized transformation properties in near-surface regions. We report this could provide alternatives to laser shot peening or other surface treatment methods and possibly expand applications in biomedical, aerospace, and other fields. Irradiation induces defects and internal stress that can serve as nucleation and/or pinning sites for the phase transformation. Thus, it can augment more convention- al approaches, including alloying, severe mechanical work, grain size reduction, and precipitation of coherent precipitates. A range of outcomes is possible in principle, including a shift of the critical stress or temperature for onset of the transformation, linearization, reduction of hysteresis, stabilization, and extent of transformation strain.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In situ ion irradiation of amorphous TiO 2 nanotubes

Understanding of structural and morphological evolution in nanomaterials is critical in tailoring their functionality for applications such as energy conversion and storage. Here, we examine irradiation effects on the morphology and structure of amorphous TiO 2 nanotubes in comparison with their crystalline counterpart, anatase TiO 2 nanotubes, using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in situ ion irradiation TEM, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Anatase TiO 2 nanotubes exhibit morphological and structural stability under irradiation due to their high concentration of grain boundaries and surfaces as defect sinks. On the other hand, amorphous TiO 2 nanotubes undergo irradiation-induced crystallization, with some tubes remaining only partially crystallized. The partially crystalline tubes bend due to internal stresses associated with densification during crystallization as suggested by MD calculations. Furthermore, these results present a novel irradiation-based pathway for potentially tuning structure and morphology of energy storage materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Probing the Damage Recovery Mechanism in Irradiated Stainless Steels Using In-Situ Microcantilever Bending Test

Single crystalline microcantilevers are fabricated from the base metal and heat-affected zone (HAZ) of a laser welded, neutron irradiated austenitic stainless steel, for scanning electron microscope (SEM) in-situ bending. In the HAZ, cantilevers exhibit higher yield point and lower crack tip blunting displacement than in the base metal and unirradiated archive specimen. These results suggest that radiation-induced defects harden the base metal, whereas the HAZ exhibits annealing of defects leading to mechanical softening. Dislocation nucleation ahead of the crack tip is responsible for ductile blunting behavior and provides a pathway to mitigating helium-induced cracking during weld repairs of irradiated materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal Energy Transport in Oxide Nuclear Fuel

To efficiently capture the energy of the nuclear bond, advanced nuclear reactor concepts seek solid fuels that must withstand unprecedented temperature and radiation extremes. In these advanced fuels, thermal energy transport under irradiation is directly related to reactor performance as well as reactor safety. The science of thermal transport in nuclear fuel is a grand challenge as a result of both computational and experimental complexities. Here we provide a comprehensive review of thermal transport research on two actinide oxides: one currently in use in commercial nuclear reactors, uranium dioxide (UO 2 ), and one advanced fuel candidate material, thorium dioxide (ThO 2 ). In both materials, heat is carried by lattice waves or phonons. Crystalline defects caused by fission events effectively scatter phonons and lead to a degradation in fuel performance over time. Bolstered by new computational and experimental tools, researchers are now developing the foundational work necessary to accurately model and ultimately control thermal transport in advanced nuclear fuels. We begin by reviewing research aimed at understanding thermal transport in perfect single crystals. The absence of defects enables studies that focus on the fundamental aspects of phonon transport. Next, we review research that targets defect generation and evolution. Here the focus is on ion irradiation studies used as surrogates for damage caused by fission products. We end this review with a discussion of modeling and experimental efforts directed at predicting and validating mesoscale thermal transport in the presence of irradiation defects. While efforts in these research areas have been robust, challenging work remains in developing holistic tools to capture and predict thermal energy transport across widely varying environmental conditions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

The role of irradiation on deformation-induced martensitic phase transformations in face-centered cubic alloys

Localized deformation, including that by the deformation-induced shearing martensitic phase transformation, is responsible for hardening and embrittlement in irradiated face-centered cubic alloys. These localized deformation processes can have profound consequences on the mechanical integrity of common structural metals used in extreme radiation environments such as nuclear reactors. This article aims to review and understand exactly how irradiation affects the martensitic phase transformation in face-centered cubic alloys, with an emphasis on austenitic stainless steel, given its ubiquity in the archival literature. The influence of irradiation on stacking fault energy and subsequent implications on the phase transformation are discussed. Mechanisms by which irradiation-induced microstructures enhance the phase transformation are also described, including the surface energy contribution of irradiation-induced cavities (i.e., voids and bubbles) toward the critical martensite nucleation energy, and partial dislocation–cavity interactions. In conclusion, a deformation mechanism map illustrates how irradiation-induced cavities can modulate the martensitic transformation pathway.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding plasticity in irradiated alloys through TEM in situ compression pillar tests

Depth-sensing transmission electron microscopic (TEM) in situ mechanical testing has become widely utilized for understanding deformation in irradiated materials. Until now, compression pillars have primarily been used to study the elastic properties and yield of irradiated materials. In this study, we utilize TEM in situ compression pillars to investigate plastic deformation in two ion-irradiated alloys: Fe–9% Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy and nanocrystalline Cu–24% Ta. We develop an algorithm to automate the extraction of instantaneous pillar dimensions from TEM videos, which we use to calculate true stress–strain curves and strain hardening exponents. True stress–strain curves reveal intermitted plastic flow in all specimen conditions. In the Fe–9% Cr ODS, intermitted plastic flow is linked to strain bursts observed in TEM videos. Low strain hardening or strain softening is observed in all specimen conditions. TEM videos link the strain softening in irradiated Fe–9% Cr ODS to dislocation cross-slip, and in Cu–24% Ta to grain boundary sliding.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗