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At least 703 records · Page 39

Progress on Grizzly Development for Reactor Pressure Vessels and Reinforced Concrete Structures

The Grizzly code has been under development for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Light Water Reactor Sustainability program to provide predictive tools for the evolution of material degradation in critical light water reactor structural components due to long-term exposure to the environmental conditions of normal reactor operation, and for the effects of this degradation on the safety of these components. This development has primarily targeted reactor pressure vessels and reinforced concrete structures. Work performed during Fiscal Year 2019 added important features for both of these types of structures. For probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis of reactor pressure vessels, capabilities were added to account for the effects of warm prestressing and residual stresses, as well as to model crack initiation, growth, and arrest. For modeling microstructure evolution in reactor pressure vessels, a cluster dynamics model for evolution of Mn-Ni-Si phases has been implemented. For modeling degraded reinforced concrete structures, capabilities to consider the combined effects of damage and creep in the concrete constitutive model and model nonlinear behavior of reinforcing bars has been added. These newly-developed features fill important gaps in Grizzly’s feature set for engineering-scale analysis of degraded reactor pressure vessels and reinforced concrete structures. Grizzly development in both of these areas has reached a point where it is ready for extensive testing on relevant engineering problems.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Process Intensification for Nanostructure Aluminum Extrusions

A new technology called Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE™), pioneered at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), has the potential to revolutionize the US extrusion industry. Maturation of the ShAPE™ process would create a new cross cutting US manufacturing technology that advances three key the objectives within AMO; namely, nanomaterials processing, process intensification, and materials for extreme and harsh environments. PNNL and SCM Metals Products, Inc. (SCM), a division of Kymera International, will collaborate to mature the ShAPE™ extrusion process beyond TRL 3 to increase the likelihood of its adoption by industry. PNNL’s custom (one-of-a-kind in the world) ShAPE™ machine will be used to extrude round rods of high strength aluminum alloy feedstock powder provided by SCM. As proof-of-concept, PNNL has previously extruded 5 mm diameter rods with SCM aluminum alloy powder AL-12.4TM. This project aims to scale up the process to a diameter of 25 mm while retaining the excellent mechanical properties achieved for the 5 mm diameter rods. The degree of process intensification with ShAPE™ will also be estimated. The primary objectives of this project are as follows. 1) Fabricate 25 mm diameter nanostructured extrusions in bulk, directly from AL-12.4TM aluminum alloy powder without the need for canning, degassing, compaction, and other intermediate steps typical of powder metallurgy extrusion. 2) Achieve a microstructure with an ultrafine grained (UFG <1 µm) aluminum matrix having refined and homogenously distributed nanoscale second phases. 3) Show that the ram force can be significantly reduced compared to conventional powder metallurgy extrusion of the same material and estimate the extent of process intensification that may be possible with ShAPE™. 4) Demonstrate improved high-temperature mechanical properties compared to conventional extrusion of the same material. The following tasks will be undertaken to achieve these objectives. PNNL will develop the die set and process parameters necessary to fabricate Al-12.4TM extrusions with a 25 mm diameter. Microstructural analysis will be performed by PNNL while mechanical testing will be conducted by SCM. With information learned from the process development and characterization, PNNL will perform an estimate of the degree of process intensification that may be possible with ShAPE™.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Scaled Thermally Aged LPBF 316H SS Builds

As part of the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program’s mission to accelerate qualification of advanced manufacturing pathways for nuclear applications, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 316H stainless steel (SS) has been selected as a model system to develop a rapid code case framework. This effort directly addresses the grand challenges of (1) expanding the limited portfolio of materials currently codified for elevated-temperature nuclear structural service under Section III, Division 5 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; and (2) significantly reducing qualification timelines that traditionally exceed a decade. The strategic importance of LPBF 316H lies in its immediate industrial relevance, existing data foundation from wrought 316H, and alignment with ongoing code case development for LPBF 316L. Prior work revealed accelerated precipitation of deleterious secondary phases and reduced creep ductility in as-printed LPBF 316H. Building on that prior research, FY 2025 activities focused on establishing an understanding of the key failure mechanisms of crept 316H specimens to aid in code case development and on evaluating stress relief (SR) parameters on the high-temperature performance and thermal aging induced degradation of tensile and fracture behavior in LPBF 316H.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Local/Global and Parametric/Nonparametric Machine Learning Methods for Establishing Structure–Property Linkages in High-Contrast 3D Elastic Composites

Reduced-order structure–property (S-P) linkages play a pivotal role in the tailored design of materials for advanced engineering components. There is a critical need to distill these from the simulation datasets aggregated using sophisticated, computationally expensive, physics-based numerical tools (e.g., finite element methods). The recent emergence of materials data science approaches has opened new avenues for addressing this challenge. In this paper, we critically compare the relative merits of the application of four distinct machine learning approaches for their efficacy in extracting microstructure-property linkages from the finite element simulation data aggregated on high-contrast elastic composites with different microstructures. The machine learning approaches selected for the study have included different combinations of local/global and parametric/nonparametric approaches. Furthermore, the nonparametric approaches selected for this study are based on Gaussian Process (GP) models that allow for a formal treatment of uncertainty quantification in the predicted values. The predictive performances of these different approaches have been compared against each other using rigorous cross-validation error metrics. Furthermore, their sensitivity to both the dataset size and dimensionality has been investigated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural representation of additively manufactured 316L austenitic stainless steel

Three 316L stainless steel materials are studied and reported upon; wrought, as-built additively manufactured (AM), and heat-treated AM material. The AM material was produced from the laser engineered net shaping (LENS) process. Macroscopic uniaxial compression stress-strain curves were obtained for all three materials. The curves were similar for the wrought and heat-treated AM materials but the as-built AM material demonstrated approximately 1.7 times greater flow stress at any given level of strain than the other two materials. Electron-backscatter diffraction analysis of the materials also showed that the microstructures of the three materials differed; with complex grain morphology for the as-built AM material. The mean grain size of each of the three materials also differed. Furthermore, the initial dislocation density was also measured with neutron diffraction and line-profile analysis for both wrought and as-built AM materials with the density in the AM material approximately 2.5 times greater.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding the deformation behavior of the γ rich transformative Fe 38.5 Mn 20 Co 20 Cr 15 Si 5 Cu 1.5 complex concentrated alloy using in situ synchrotron diffraction

In situ tensile testing coupled with synchrotron x-ray diffraction was used to study the deformation behavior of metastability-engineered Fe 38.5 Mn 20 Co 20 Cr 15 Si 5 Cu 1.5 complex concentrated alloy. Monitoring the evolution of phase fraction and strain hardening response allowed the determination of true critical stress for the onset of the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) to be ∼375 MPa, preceded by slip starting at ∼255 MPa. In situ EBSD was used to validate the critical stress for transformation at the microstructure level and observe slip traces to confirm prior slip activity before the transformation. Further, a modeling framework based on stacking fault energy (SFE) was developed to predict the critical stress for transformation. Modeling suggested the SFE of the alloy to fall nearly 15 mJ/m 2 , which agrees well with SFE values calculated using synchrotron peak shifting (12 mJ/m 2 ) and thermodynamic calculation (11 mJ/m 2 ). As a result of γ-fcc to ε-hcp phase transformation, new {0002} ε planes emerged parallel to unaligned {111} γ planes with the tensile loading following S-N orientation relationship. Such selective emergence of new diffraction rings corresponding to ε phase is understood based on the reorientation of γ crystals with reference to tensile axis. In conclusion, this approach can be extended to effectively design alloys based on critical stress required for activating different deformation mechanisms to further push the limits of the strength-ductility envelope.

Complex concentrated alloy↗

Evaluation of statistical variation of microstructural properties and temperature effects on creep fracture of Grade 91

This report describes three improvements made to a physically-based model for creep and creep rupture in Grade 91 steel developed as part of the Advanced Reactor Technologies program: 1. Progress on transitioning the model framework to the MOOSE finite element package to improve parallel scalability, increase the physical size of the simulations, and incorporate multiphysics effects into the model. 2. The development of a physically-based method of scaling the model parameters to accurately capture creep in Grade 91 for temperatures in the range of 450° to 500° C. 3. Extending the model to account for microstructural statistical variations, specifically capturing the effect of grain boundary energy on the physical parameters underling the model for grain boundary void nucleation and cavitation. Put together, these improvements result in an accurate, predictive model for the physical response of Grade 91 steel over the expected use temperature range for the material in future liquid metal cooled fast reactors. The model can be used to more accurately predict engineering properties of the material for very long service lives, which could lead to safer, more economical future advanced reactors.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Research Plan and Preliminary Results in Developing the Fabrication Parameters for Alloy 709 in Different Product Forms―Grain Coarsening Temperature Evaluation

The Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Program has established a multi-year plan to develop Alloy 709 advanced stainless steel (A709), generate the data package and develop material-specific design parameters in qualifying it as a new structural material for Class A component design in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5, High Temperature Reactors. In collaboration with material vendors, the Advanced Materials Development activities under ART have successfully scaled the A709 plate form production from a laboratory heat of 500 pounds to commercial heats totaling 133,000 pounds of A709 plate fabricated from three heats. The goal of the overall A709 development program is to establish the necessary microstructural and mechanical properties relationship for A709 to ultimately develop fabrication parameters for other product forms such as bars, piping and forging using the available ART A709 materials. The objective of this A709 development work at ORNL in FY2023 is to experimentally determine grain coarsening behavior for the A709 heats and to experimentally generate the continuous cooling precipitation (CCP) diagram for A709 using the as-rolled commercial heat plate materials. Integral to this work is the characterization of the as-rolled materials and the determination of an effective solution annealing process. This report summarizes the work performed to identify the grain coarsening temperature for commercial heat 58776-3RB fabricated by G. O. Carlson and heat 529900-02 fabricated by Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI) Flat Rolled Products.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Sintering inhibition enables hierarchical porosity with extreme resistance to degradation during redox cycling of Fe-Mo foams

High-temperature (800 ºC) steam-hydrogen redox cycling, relevant to grid-scale energy storage, is studied for iron-based freeze-cast lamellar foams. In contrast to previously studied Fe, Fe-Ni, and Fe-Co foams that rapidly degrade, Fe-25Mo foams feature a much-enhanced structural damage resistance. Utilizing in-situ x-ray diffraction, microscopy, and x-ray tomography, strong sintering inhibition is observed in Fe-Mo foams, creating a hierarchically porous lamellar structure. This leads to (i) wide channels between lamellae, enabling high macroscopic porosity (~78%) which can accommodate gas flow as well as volumetric expansion without lamellar contact, and (ii) microporosity within lamellae, providing additional free volume to accommodate expansion during oxidation, limiting both swelling of the lamellae and the formation of Kirkendall pores. Finally, these combined effects enable a near-complete reversibility of the microstructure during cycling, preventing damage produced via internal lamellar buckling, cracking, contacting and sintering, with a remarkably high porosity (65%) remaining after 50 consecutive redox cycles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of build orientation and heat treatment on the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy Mar-M-509 fabricated via laser powder bed fusion

We present the main results from an experimental investigation into the consequences of various microstructural features, created by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and subsequent heat treatments (HTs), in alloy Mar-M-509 on several aspects of plastic deformation including mechanical anisotropy and elongation-to-fracture (ETF). To ensure successful manufacturing of the alloy, porosity fraction and distribution are first characterized using micro X-ray computed tomography. Next, grain structure, crystallographic texture, and regions of recrystallization in the studied microstructures are measured using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). Lastly, chemistry, distribution, and morphological features of carbide phases are extracted using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Strength in tension and compression are measured at room temperature for different initial microstructures created by variations in manufacturing conditions and sample orientations with respect to sample processing frame. While the strength of the alloy varies with sample orientation by approximately 30% in the as-built condition, the alloy is softer, more ductile, and approximately isotropic after HT. These results are discussed and critically compared with the data reported for the as-cast material. The alloy manufactured via LPBF is found to be significantly stronger and more ductile than the same alloy produced by casting. The interesting deformation behavior characteristics of the samples in different conditions are explained in terms of their microstructures. EBSD measurements reveal evolution from columnar grains along the build direction favoring a moderately strong <001> fiber texture in the as-built material to equiaxed grains favoring the {110}<001> Goss texture component after subsequent HTs. The major change in grain structure and texture is a result of recrystallization. While carbide phases precipitate primarily at dendrite and cellular interfaces in the as-built material, these phases are both intra-and inter-granular within the HT materials and coarsen with HT duration. These microstructural observations formed bases to rationalize the observed mechanical behavior of the alloy. With this being said, tailoring the alloy performance characteristics with HTs is reported on.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mechanical and Thermal Characterization of Phase-Change Material and High-Density Polyethylene Functional Composites for Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract Phase-change materials (PCMs) can be used to develop thermal energy storage systems as they absorb large amount of latent heat nearly at a constant temperature when changing phase from a solid to a liquid. To prevent leakage when in a liquid state, PCM is shape stabilized in a polymer matrix of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The present research explores the injection-molded mechanical and thermal properties of different PCM/HDPE composite ratios. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity at room temperature and with the PCM fully melted within the composite are measured. Additionally, the hardness, latent heat of fusion, phase-change temperature, and thermal conductivity are investigated. An analysis of microstructures of the composite is used to support the findings. The PCM within the PCM/HDPE composite gives it the benefit of thermal storage but causes a decrease in mechanical properties.

Energy & Fuels↗

Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Crack Growth Rate Testing of Baffle-Former Bolts Harvested from a Westinghouse Two-Loop Downflow Type PWR

As one of the pressurized water reactor (PWR) internal components, baffle-former bolts (BFBs) are subjected to significant mechanical stress and neutron irradiation from the reactor core during the plant operation. Over the long operation period, these conditions lead to potential degradation and reduced load-carrying capacity of the bolts. In support of evaluating long-term operational performance of materials used in core internal components, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), through the Department of Energy (DOE), Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program, Materials Research Pathway (MRP) has harvested two high fluence BFBs from a commercial Westinghouse two-loop downflow type PWR. The two bolts of interest, i.e. bolts # 4412 and 4416, were withdrawn from service in 2011 as part of a preventative replacement plan. No identification of cracking or potential damage was found for these bolts during their removal in 2011. However, the bolts required a lower torque for removal from the baffle structure than the original torque specified during installation. Irradiation displacement damage levels in the bolts range from 15 to 41 displacements per atom. The goal of this project is to perform detailed microstructural and mechanical property characterization of BFBs following in-service exposures. The information from these bolts will be integral to the LWRS program initiatives in evaluating end of life microstructure and properties. Furthermore, valuable data will be obtained that can be incorporated into model predictions of long-term irradiation behavior and compared to results obtained in high flux experimental reactor conditions.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Assessing Manufacturability of the Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) 14YWT Alloy Fuel Cladding Tube Using SolidStir™ Technology

The 14YWT (Fe–14Cr–3W–0.4Ti–0.3Y2O3 (wt.%)) alloy is a potential candidatematerial for fabricating fuel cladding tubes and other structural components to be used in next-generation advanced nuclear reactors. Due to inherent limitations of current processing routes, this research explored a new variant of friction stir processing, commercially referred to as SolidStir™ Extrusion (patent pending) technology from Enabled Engineering to consolidate and extrude 14YWT powder into a fuel cladding tube. Several single-layer and multiple-layer consolidation experiments were carried out in an Inconel 625 die to determine the suitable processing parameters for SolidStir™ extrusion of the 14YWT alloy cladding tube. With these processing parameters, a 16–18 mm long tube of the 14YWT alloy with no visible defects was successfully extruded using this novel technology. Microstructural characterization results obtained using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy will be presented.

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology↗

Enhancing perovskite electrocatalysis through synergistic functionalization of B-site cation for efficient water splitting

The family of perovskite oxides is a promising class of catalysts for diverse energy conversion processes including water splitting. In this work, a facile two-step manipulation (in-situ exsolution and post-sulfurization) strategy was proposed and applied to LaCo 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3 (LCF) perovskite parent, through which, the electronic state, spatial immersion and intrinsic activity of B-site cobalt (Co) were stepwise tuned at nanoscale proximity accordingly (i.e., lattice Co ions segregated Co 0 → embedded CoS 2 ). Impressively, the as-prepared catalyst (S-LCF) obtains an emergent oxygen deficient microstructure seamlessly pinned with uniformly distributed CoS 2 nanoparticles (NPs), which demonstrates enhanced performance toward both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and shows good stability in overall water splitting. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations illustrate the optimized metal-oxygen covalency and hydrogen adsorption Gibbs free energy (Δ G H *) on S-LCF, which further buttresses the prominence of our B-site cation engineering tactics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamics of Radiation Damage Buildup in Ultrathin Hexagonal Boron Nitride Films under Ion Bombardment

Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is attractive for several emerging applications. Ion bombardment can be used to modify the hBN properties. However, the understanding of radiation damage buildup in hBN remains limited. Here, we investigate the effects of the dose rate and ion mass on radiation damage buildup by studying 40 nm-thick hBN films bombarded at room temperature with 500 keV 4 He, 15 N, 40 Ar, and 129 Xe ions and comparing with results for ion bombardment of polycrystalline hBN ceramics. Raman spectroscopy is used to quantify damage buildup, and transmission electron microscopy is used for microstructural analysis. Experiments are complemented by molecular dynamics simulations of the formation and evolution of point defects. Lighter ions are found to be more efficient at disordering hBN than heavier ions. This observation points to a critical role of intracascade defect processes. In contrast, a negligible dose rate effect observed suggests limited intercascade defect dynamic annealing processes for these irradiation conditions. These findings provide a fundamental basis for hBN defect engineering.

2D materials↗

Enabling Multi-Material Structures of Co-Based Superalloy Using Laser Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing

Cobalt superalloys such as Tribaloys are widely used in environments that involve high temperatures, corrosion, and wear degradation. Additive manufacturing (AM) processes have been investigated for fabricating Co-based alloys due to design flexibility and efficient materials usage. AM processes are suitable for reducing the manufacturing steps and subsequently reducing manufacturing costs by incorporating multi-materials. Laser directed energy deposition (laser DED) is a suitable AM process for fabricating Co-based alloys. T800 is one of the commercially available Tribaloys that is strengthened through Laves phases and of interest to diverse engineering fields. However, the high content of the Laves phase makes the alloy prone to brittle fracture. In this study, a Ni-20%Cr alloy was used to improve the fabricability of the T800 alloy via laser DED. Different mixture compositions (20%, 30%, 40% NiCr by weight) were investigated. The multi-material T800 + NiCr alloys were heat treated at two different temperatures. These alloy chemistries were characterized for their microstructural, phase, and mechanical properties in the as-fabricated and heat-treated conditions. SEM and XRD characterization indicated the stabilization of ductile phases and homogenization of the Laves phases after laser DED fabrication and heat treatment. In conclusion, the NiCr addition improved the fabricability and structural integrity of the T800 alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Additive Manufactured Materials Studies

The production of additively manufactured (AM) materials, is a growing technology that potentially offers more cost effective ways to produce metallic components for various uses. Mechanical properties of some AM metals have been studied, but more work is needed to better understand their dynamic properties as a function of orientation. Due to the melting and reheating of molten metal during fabrication, these materials tend to have internal porosity and slightly different microstructures along the weldments and normal to the weldments that may cause the materials to behave differently than their forged counterparts. The AM process builds up a part layer by layer, which provides opportunities to tailor geometry and optimize structural performance in addition to minimizing the amount of material waste for oddly shaped parts, thereby reducing cost. These advanced materials hold great promise for revolutionizing design, fabrication, and assembly of engineered components and could be used for many NNSA-specific applications including armoring complex elements of nuclear weapons, and customized diagnostic components in subcritical experiments. We have conducted materials studies in collaboration with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as well as Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) under our Site-Directed Research and Development program and the Nevada Science Initiative. We are currently placing emphasis on quantifying how dynamic properties are affected by directionality and porosity of the material. A study of dynamic failure events in forged, layered, and additive manufactured (AM) titanium alloy subject to hypervelocity impact was conducted in collaboration with UNLV. Experiments were conducted using a two stage light-gas gun, 0.22-caliber Lexan projectiles, and different types of titanium target plates. A four-channel Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) system was used to study the free surface velocities to provide an understanding of the different failure mechanisms in these materials. The experimental measurements were used to validate computational simulations, which describe the behavior of these materials under shock. It was determined that AM, forged titanium, and multi-layered stacks produce similar velocity profiles during the early stage of impact, with the AM targets exhibiting spall at lower velocities and the multi-layered stacks exhibiting vibrations between plates. Simulations of solid and layered forged materials provide a good match to experimental data.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Report on FY 2023 Experimental Results in Developing the Fabrication Parameters for Alloy 709 in Different Product Forms

The Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Program has established a multi-year plan to develop Alloy 709 advanced stainless steel (A709), generate the data package and develop material-specific design parameters in qualifying it as a new structural material for Class A construction in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 5, High Temperature Reactors (ASME 2023). In collaboration with material vendors, the Advanced Materials Development activities under ART have successfully scaled the A709 plate form production from a laboratory heat of 500 pounds to commercial heats totaling 133,000 pounds of A709 plate fabricated from three heats. The goal of the overall A709 development program is to establish the necessary microstructural and mechanical properties relationship for A709 to ultimately develop fabrication parameters for other product forms such as bars, pipes, and forgings using the available ART A709 materials. The objective of this A709 development work in FY 2023 is to experimentally determine grain coarsening behavior for the A709 heats and to experimentally generate the continuous cooling precipitation (CCP) diagram for A709 using the as-rolled commercial heat plate materials. Integral to this work is the characterization of the as-rolled materials and the determination of an effective solution-annealing process, which was reported in Y. Wang et al., 2023. This report summarizes the results of the high-speed dilatometry project to develop the CCP diagram using the commercial heat 58776-3RB fabricated by G. O. Carlson and heat 529900-02 fabricated by Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI) Specialty Rolled Products.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗