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At least 145 records · Page 8

Dynamic data-driven multiscale modeling for predicting the degradation of a 316L stainless steel nuclear cladding material

Here, we have developed a long short-term memory stacked ensemble (LSTM-SE) surrogate modeling approach that can provide rapid predictions of microstructural evolution and the resultant mechanical properties of American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 316L series stainless steel (316LSS) fuel cladding under conditions of varying temperature and radiation dose rate. To acquire training data, we developed and implemented a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) model to simulate precipitation kinetics of M 23 C 6 , γ', and G phases within SS316L cladding. Experimentally reported precipitation kinetics of SS316L in literature were linked to the kinetic parameters of the simulated precipitation in our KMC model. The model was then used to simulate microstructure evolution under synthetically generated treatments of varying temperature and radiation dose rate, for periods of up to 3000 hours. Changes in volume fraction, number density, and particle size of precipitates were recorded, and particle area fractions were correlated using statistical methods to develop the surrogate model. Simultaneously, the mechanical properties of the simulated microstructures were evaluated using microstructure-based finite element method (FEM) analysis to determine the elastic modulus, yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation to failure of the aged microstructures. Using this approach, our surrogate model can predict precipitation behavior within 0.25% volume fraction and mechanical properties within 6% relative error from the values predicted by the KMC and FEM models using 50 training simulations as input. The trained recurrent neural network-based model can return estimations of precipitation kinetics and mechanical properties ~1000 times faster than the physics-based codes. This work demonstrates, as a proof of concept, that reactor material service lifetimes under variable service conditions can be predicted for a statistics-based model from a practicably obtainable dataset.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Combined modeling and experiments to predict corrosion and embrittlement in dual-phase stainless steels within the MARMOT framework

Extending service of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) to beyond 60 years will demand high integrity of materials and components in the reactors. The accurate evaluation and prediction of materials performance under anticipated operating conditions are of particular importance for ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants over their extended lifetime. Stainless steels are extensively used as structural alloys in light water reactor (LWR) systems because of their excellent combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Austenitic stainless steel welds and cast austenitic stainless steels (CASS) contain significant amounts of ferrite ~5-30% and are ubiquitous in LWR piping (elbows, pump casings, valves) and internal structural components. During their lifetime, these components are subjected to thermal aging at the temperature range of 288-327°C for pressurized water reactors (PWR). A phase transformation within the ferrite phase of these materials leads to embrittlement and degradation in corrosion resistance, which undermines the materials selection criteria.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Elastic Properties in Tension and Shear of High Strength Nonferrous Metals and Stainless Steel - Effect of Previous Deformation and Heat Treatment

A resume is given of an investigation of the influence of plastic deformation and of annealing temperature on the tensile and shear elastic properties of high strength nonferrous metals and stainless steels in the form of rods and tubes. The data were obtained from earlier technical reports and notes, and from unpublished work in this investigation. There are also included data obtained from published and unpublished work performed on an independent investigation. The rod materials, namely, nickel, monel, inconel, copper, 13:2 Cr-Ni steel, and 18:8 Cr-Ni steel, were tested in tension; 18:8 Cr-Ni steel tubes were tested in shear, and nickel, monel, aluminum-monel, and Inconel tubes were tested in both tension and shear. There are first described experiments on the relationship between hysteresis and creep, as obtained with repeated cyclic stressing of annealed stainless steel specimens over a constant load range. These tests, which preceded the measurements of elastic properties, assisted in devising the loading time schedule used in such measurements. From corrected stress-set curves are derived the five proof stresses used as indices of elastic or yield strength. From corrected stress-strain curves are derived the secant modulus and its variation with stress. The relationship between the forms of the stress-set and stress-strain curves and the values of the properties derived is discussed. Curves of variation of proof stress and modulus with prior extension, as obtained with single rod specimens, consist in wavelike basic curves with superposed oscillations due to differences of rest interval and extension spacing; the effects of these differences are studied. Oscillations of proof stress and modulus are generally opposite in manner. The use of a series of tubular specimens corresponding to different amounts of prior extension of cold reduction gave curves almost devoid of oscillation since the effects of variation of rest interval and extension spacing were removed. Comparison is also obtained between the variation of the several properties, as measured in tension and in shear. The rise of proof stress with extension is studied, and the work-hardening rates of the various metals evaluated. The ratio between the tensile and shear proof stresses for the various annealed and cold-worked tubular metals is likewise calculated. The influence of annealing or tempering temperature on the proof stresses and moduli for the cold-worked metals and for air-hardened 13:2 Cr-Ni steel is investigated. An improvement of elastic strength generally is obtained, without important loss of yield strength, by annealing at suitable temperature. The variation of the proof stress and modulus of elasticity with plastic deformation or annealing temperature is explained in terms of the relative dominance of three important factors: namely, (a) internal stress, (b) lattice-expansion or work-hardening, and (c) crystal reorientation. Effective values of Poisson's ratio were computed from tensile and shear moduli obtained on tubular specimens. The variation of Poisson's ratio with plastic deformation and annealing temperature is explained in terms of the degree of anisotropy produced by changes of (a) internal stress and (b) crystal orientation.

METALS - ELASTICITY↗

Casting Stainless-Steel Models Around Pressure Tubes

Survivability of thin-wall stainless-steel tubing increased to nearly 100 percent. Improves state of art in pressure-model castings and reduces cost associated with machining complete model from stainless-steel blank.

Vasquez, Peter↗

Molecular dynamics simulations of radiation cascade evolution near cellular dislocation structures in additively manufactured stainless steels

The dislocation dense cellular structures observed in additively manufactured (AM) stainless steels can allow these materials to have enhanced strength and ductility compared to conventionally manufactured materials. Effective design of radiation resistant materials often necessitates creating microstructures containing of a high density of dislocations that act as sinks for radiation induced defects. This work uses molecular dynamics simulations to study the impact of pre-existing defects on radiation damage in stainless steel 316L fabricated by the laser powder bed fusion process. The evolution of synthetically generated dislocations in a crystal system in response to multiple radiation collision cascades suggest that dislocation dense regions reduce the probability of surviving point defects forming clusters. This finding seems to result from the dislocation cores’ ability to absorb point defects, thereby limiting the formation of clusters during the recombination phase. However, after successive cascades, the ability of the dislocation entanglement to prevent defect formation is diminished and defect cluster formation trends to an equilibrium. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that in an experimental setting the dislocation cells will initially act as neutral sinks for point defects, potentially delaying the onset of radiation damage effects; but, these structures will be degraded due to radiation-enhanced diffusion and lose their effectiveness at doses above 1.5–2 displacements per atom. Nevertheless, the ability to produce complex and feature-specific microstructures suggests promise for the design of radiation tolerant materials using AM methods.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Origin of dislocation structures in an additively manufactured austenitic stainless steel 316L

In this experiment, the origin of dislocation structures in AM stainless steels was systematically investigated by controlling the effect of thermal stress through geometric constraints for the first time. Stainless steel 316L parts were produced in the form of “1D” rods, “2D” walls, and "3D" rectangular prisms to evaluate the effect of constraints to thermal expansion/shrinkage on the development of defect microstructures and to elucidate the origin of additively manufactured (AM) dislocation microstructures. Dislocation density, organization, chemical micro-segregation, precipitate structures, and misorientations were analyzed as a function of increasing constraints around solidifying material in 1D, 2D, and 3D components built using both directed energy deposition (DED) and powder-bed selective laser melting (SLM). In DED parts, the dislocation density was not dependent on local misorientations or micro-segregation patterns, but evolved from approximately ρ ⊥ = 10 12 m -2 in 1D parts to ρ ⊥ = 10 14 m -2 in 3D parts, indicating that it is primarily thermal distortions that produce AM dislocation structures. In DED 3D parts and SLM parts, dislocation densities were highest (ρ ⊥ ≈ 10 14 m -2 ) and corresponded to the formation of dislocation cells approximately 300-450 nm in diameter. Dislocation cells overlapped with dendrite micro-segregation in some but not all cases. The results illustrate that dendritic micro-segregation, precipitates, or local misorientations influence how the dislocations organize during processing, but are not responsible for producing the organized cell structures. Furthermore, this work shows that AM dislocation structures originate due to thermal distortions during printing, which are primarily dictated by constraints surrounding the melt pool and thermal cycling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Suppression of Helium Induced Cracking in Laser Repair Welding of Highly Irradiated Stainless Steels

Welding repair of irradiated nuclear reactor materials such as austenitic stainless steels used for the reactor internals has been challenging due to irradiation generated helium in the material matrix over an extended period of time. In this study, improved laser welding techniques, including the novel Auxiliary Beam Stress Improved (ABSI) technique that proactively manages the stresses during laser repair welding is investigated to substantially reduce or avoid the occurrence of intergranular helium-induced cracking (HeIC). Here, laser weld cladding, with and without ABSI technique, was applied to deposit weld metal on irradiated stainless steel (Type 304 L) blocks with various helium concentrations up to approximately 20 atomic parts per million (appm). Welded samples were cross-sectioned and analyzed using optical and electron microscopes. It was found that, with the improved laser welding techniques, no macroscopic (millimeter-sized) cracks were observed in any of the samples. Microscopic (less than 50 μm) cracks were present in the heat affected zone. Statistical analysis on the sample with the highest helium concentration (~20 appm) reveals that the ABSI technique could effectively reduce the size and amounts of microscopic cracks.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamic response of 17-4 stainless steel as a function of manufacturing method and heat treatment

We present a series of plate-impact experiments on 17-4 stainless steel to study the effect of manufacturing method and heat treatment on the Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL), Hugoniot, phase transformation stress, and spallation strength. Two traditional manufacturing methods were considered, wrought processing and casting, as well as two additive manufacturing methods, laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) and wire-fed electron beam (EBAM). For both LPBF and EBAM 17-4 stainless steel variants, two billets were printed, enabling the application of two unique heat treatments. The HEL stress depended heavily on the thermal history, with the HEL increasing after the formation of Cu-rich precipitates via heat treatment. The Hugoniot response both below and above the phase transition was unaffected by the manufacturing method or heat treatment. The phase transition stress depended heavily on the thermal history, with its variation being attributed to the presence of various microstructural features. This is supported by a marked increase in the phase transition stress after precipitation hardening. These results suggest that the notion of the phase transition stress being dictated by bulk composition is an oversimplification and the stress fields generated by the meso-scale structure are a dominant force. The spallation strength was lower in the cast material compared to all other 17-4 stainless steel variants due to the presence of brittle δ-ferrite inclusions. Additionally, a drop in the tensile strain-rate was observed in the spallation response above the phase transition stress, which was hypothesized to stem from the kinetics of the reversion to the low-pressure phase during spall.

Compressive stress↗

Fabrication of stainless steel clad tubing

The feasibility of producing stainless steel clad carbon steel tubing by a gas pressure bonding process was evaluated. Such a tube product could provide substantial chromium savings over monolithic stainless tubing in the event of a serious chromium shortage. The process consists of the initial assembly of three component tubesets from conventionally produced tubing, the formation of a strong metallurgical bond between the three components by gas pressure bonding, and conventional cold draw and anneal processing to final size. The quality of the tubes produced was excellent from the standpoint of bond strength, mechanical, and forming properties. The only significant quality problem encountered was carburization of the stainless clad by the carbon steel core which can be overcome by further refinement through at least three different approaches. The estimated cost of clad tubing produced by this process is greater than that for monolithic stainless tubing, but not so high as to make the process impractical as a chromium conservation method.

Kovach, C. W.↗

In Situ X-ray Diffraction Investigation of Hydrogen Effects on Deformation-Induced Phase Transformation in Forged and Additively Manufactured 304L Stainless Steels

Here, this study utilized high energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction to probe microstructural evolution during uniaxial deformation of conventionally manufactured and additively manufactured (AM) 304L stainless steel with and without internal hydrogen. The objective of this effort is to highlight the effect of hydrogen on deformation-induced martensite phase transformations in austenitic stainless steels. Solute hydrogen depresses the required applied strain to initiate austenite transformation to ε-martensite and α'-martensite in both forged and AM stainless steel. Similarly, the total fraction of transformation product is larger when the microstructure is saturated with hydrogen. Deformation induced phase transformations also lead to a variation in strain partitioning behavior, which is linked to the chemical composition and stacking fault energy of the starting and hydrogen-charged materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Substitution for chromium in 304 stainless steel

An investigation was conducted to determine the effects of substituting less strategic elements for Cr on oxidation and corrosion resistance of AISI 304 stainless steel. Cyclic oxidation resistance was evaluated at 870 C. Corrosion resistance was determined by exposure of specimens to a boiling copper-rich solution of copper sulfate and sulfuric acid. Alloy substitutes for Cr included Al, Mn, Mo, Si, Ti, V, Y, and misch metal. A level of about 12% Cr was the minimum amount of Cr required for adequate oxidation and corrosion resistance in the modified composition 304 stainless steels. This represents a Cr saving of 33 percent. Two alloys containing 12% Cr plus 2% Al plus 2% Mo and 12% Cr plus 2.65% Si were identified which exhibited oxidation and corrosion resistance comparable to AISI 304 stainless steel.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Investigation of effect of fluoride on corrosion of 2S-0 aluminum and 347 stainless steel in fuming nitric acid at 170 F

The effect of small additions of fluoride on the corrosion of 2S-0 aluminum and 347 stainless steel by fuming nitric acid at 170 degrees F has been evaluated quantitatively by the determination of the weight loss of metal specimens immersed in the acid. The ratio of metal surface area to volume of acid was approximately 7.5 inch (superscript)-1 in all cases. It was found that for acids containing no fluorides the weight loss of aluminum was approximately 1/5 that of stainless steel. Addition of 1 percent fluoride ion to the acid reduced the weight loss of both metals to practically zero even after 26 days of exposure to the acid at 170 degrees F. The minimum quantity of fluoride ion required to inhibit corrosion was found to be approximately 0.25 and 0.5 percent for aluminum and stainless steel, respectively, in white fuming nitric acid and 0.5 and 1 percent in red fuming nitric acid (18 percent nitrogen dioxide). These fluoride percentages were based on the total weight of acid. Provided the concentration of fluoride ion was sufficient to inhibit corrosion, the source of these ions was immaterial. Additional information concerning the effect of fluorides on corrosion was obtained by measuring the electrode potentials of the metals against a platinum reference electrode.

Feiler, Charles E↗

Influence of Realistic, Cyclic Atmospheric Cycles on the Pitting Corrosion of Austenitic Stainless Steels

Pitting corrosion was evaluated on stainless steels 304H, 304, and 316L the surfaces of which had ASTM seawater printed on them as a function of surface roughness after exposure to an exemplar realistic atmospheric diurnal cycle for up to one year. Methods to evaluate pitting damage included optical imaging, scanning electron microscopy imaging, profilometry analysis, and polarization scans. The developed cyclic exposure environment did not significantly influence pitting morphology nor depth in comparison to prior static exposure environments. Cross-hatching was observed in a majority of pits for all material compositions with the roughest surface finish (#4 finish) and in all surface finishes for the 304H composition. Evidence is provided that cross-hatched pit morphologies are caused by slip bands produced during the grinding process for the #4 finish or by material processing. Additionally, micro-cracking was observed in pits formed on samples with the #4 surface finish and was greatly reduced or absent for pits formed on samples with smooth surface finishes. This suggests that both a low RH leading to an MgCl 2 -dominated environment and a rough surface containing significant residual stress are necessary for micro-cracking. Finally, the use of various characterization techniques and cross sectioning was employed to both qualitatively and quantitatively assess pitting damage across all SS compositions and surface finishes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

On residual stress analysis and microstructural evolution for stainless steel type 304 spent nuclear fuel canisters weld joint: Numerical and experimental studies

Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) in the weldments of austenitic stainless steel canisters is one of the primary safety concerns during the dry storage of used nuclear fuel at Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations in coastal areas. In order to evaluate the CISCC behavior in the canister, a 3D sequentially coupled thermo-mechanical finite element model was built to simulate the residual stresses induced by two intersecting longitudinal and circumferential multi-pass welds in austenitic stainless steel mockup canister. Weld-induced residual stresses from simulation were in good agreement with the experimental measurement results by deep-hole drilling and contour methods. Through-wall high tensile axial and hoop stresses were observed in both the fusion zone and heat affected zone (HAZ) in the longitudinal and circumferential weld, respectively. On the other hand, the microstructure within the weldments of 304 stainless steel mockup was characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron back-scattered diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy methods. A few amount of MnS inclusions in both the base metal and HAZ, and a lot of (Mn,Si) x O y inclusions in the fusion zone were found. Meanwhile, there is some α'-martensite in the base metal, while the martensite was reversed in the HAZ. In the fusion zone, there is a lot of δ-ferrite. The martensite reversion phenomenon was also verified by the combination of Feritscope test and thermal simulation, which could predict a martensite reversion temperature as 400C°. The welding residual stresses and microstructure analysis results could offer the instructive information for the prediction of CISCC behavior of the spent nuclear fuel canisters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗