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At least 181 records · Page 10

3D imaging techniques for characterising microcracks in cement-based materials

Concrete inherently contains pores and microcracks that can adversely impact its mechanical properties and long-term durability. However, characterising microcracks is difficult due to their complex, multiscale and three-dimensional (3D) nature. This paper presents an evaluation of 3D imaging techniques for characterising microcracks induced by different mechanisms. Seven cement pastes, mortars and concretes subjected to drying shrinkage, autogenous shrinkage and freeze-thaw cycles were investigated using focused ion beam nanotomography (FIB-nt), broad ion beam serial section tomography (BIB-SST), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) combined with serial sectioning and X-ray microtomography (μCT). The study shows that the characteristics of microcracks vary significantly depending on exposure conditions. Yet there is no single technique that can capture the entire size range of microcracks from sub to tens of μm within a sufficiently representative sampling volume. The achievable image volume and resolution, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are compared and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Roles of Mn and Co in Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes synthesized utilizing a Taylor Vortex Reactor

It is reported that layered oxides, composed of nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC), are sought after as cathode materials which provide improved energy density, cycle life, and safety in commercial lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Increasing Ni contents higher than 80% can provide even higher practical discharge capacities >200 mAh/g and similar to ~4 V discharge potential vs Li/Li + , making them promising cathodes for next generation LIBs. However, rapid capacity fade during cycling and heat-related safety concerns are delaying their successful transition to industry. We report systematic performance optimization of LiNiO 2 , LiNi 0.9 Mn 0.1 O 2 , and LiNi 0.9 Co 0.1 O 2 high Ni layered oxide cathodes synthesized by utilizing a Taylor Vortex Reactor. Co-free LiNi 0.9 Mn 0.1 O 2 cathode showed 200 mAh/g highest discharge capacity at 0.1 C rate with 84% retention after 103 cycles at 0.3C rate while LiNi 0.9 Co 0.1 O 2 cathode showed higher initial but poor cycle life (225 mAh/g highest discharge capacity at 0.1C rate with only 56% capacity retention after 103 cycles at 0.3 C rate. Synchrotron based X-ray diffraction (SXRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and focused ion beam (FIB) imaging of pristine and cycled cathodes after 103 cycles provided important information on degradation mechanism. The roles of Mn and Co on layered structure formation, charge balance, cationic mixing, and electrochemical performance were elucidated using the crystallographic information from XRD refinement and electronic state analysis from XAS providing valuable information to design future Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Nuclear response of additive manufactured GRCop-84 copper for use in Lower hybrid launchers in a fusion environment

Recent advances in selective laser melting (SLM) 3D printing technology allow additive manufacture of lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) RF launchers from a new material, Glenn Research Copper 84 (GRCop-84), a Cr 2 Nb (8 at. % Cr, 4 at. % Nb) precipitation hardened alloy, in configurations unachievable with conventional machining. Tensile strength and thermal conductivity are compared to other competing high conductivity copper alloys for fusion use. Swelling and conductivity at 100 DPA when exposed to the Hanford Fast Flux Test Facility neutron spectrum is predicted in the 1–2 % and 65-70% IACS range, respectively, by comparison to copper alloys with similar precipitate and grain size. Finally, self-similar ion irradiation of a GRCop-84 target at 430 °C to 20 DPA resulted in no noticeable void formation in FIB cross sections or TEM lamella.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Influence of microstructure on replacement and porosity generation during experimental dolomitization of limestones

Replacement reactions commonly alter the multiscale pore structures of rocks during fluid-rock interactions. Analysis of these processes in various model fluid-rock systems during controlled laboratory experiments provides insights into the origins of microstructures found in natural materials. This study focused on understanding the effects of initial starting material permeability and resultant differences in transport pathways on porosity and mineralogical changes during limestone dolomitization.A series of replacement experiments (32–317 days in duration) have been conducted in which 1.59 cm (5/8 in.) diameter cores of two different limestones were reacted with saturated MgCl2 solutions at 200 °C. The Texas Cream (Austin Chalk) is a high-porosity, high-permeability limestone, whereas both the porosity and permeability of the Carthage Marble (Burlington Limestone) are relatively low. Altered limestones were imaged using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF–SIMS) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). A representative grain boundary of the low-porosity limestone was targeted for a focused ion beam (FIB) lift-out and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results were coupled with analyses of radial changes in the porosity distribution of the core derived from X-ray and neutron small- and ultra-small angle scattering ((U)SANS/(U)SAXS).The high-porosity/permeability limestone showed a four times faster bulk replacement rate than the lower-porosity/permeability material, and a different mechanism of porosity development. For the low-porosity limestone, a two-stage replacement occurred, with the reacted region of the core consisting of an inner rim in which the limestone was replaced by two calcite-dolomite solid solutions, and an outer rim in which the dolomite was replaced by magnesite. Elongated pores formed along grain boundaries at the initial limestone/dolomite reaction interface, and additional nanometer-scale porosity was formed at the secondary magnesite replacement rim. Grain boundaries were identified as preferential pathways for transport leading to dolomitization and a grain boundary diffusion rate was calculated based on microstructural characterization. In contrast, replacement in the high-porosity limestone was accompanied by porosity generation through replacement of individual grains by dolomite throughout the sample and, in longer runs, magnesite in outer parts of the core. These observations emphasize that both the mechanisms of the replacement reaction and the microstructure and chemistry of the replaced product are contingent on the initial structure of the starting material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Four-dimensional microstructurally small fatigue crack growth in cyclically loaded nickel superalloy specimen

Here, we nondestructively image a low-solvus high refractory (LSHR) nickel base specimen microstructure during cyclic loading to characterize crack propagation during the microstructurally small crack (MSC) growth regime. Micro-computed tomography (uCT) is used to characterize the material density and identify crack interfaces, while high-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) provides snapshots of the microstructural orientation field changes. From these measurements, data are computationally reconstructed and coregistered to describe the specimen’s configuration before load, before crack nucleation, and throughout the crack propagation/loading process. An MSC forms at a FIB-cut notch, which was previously placed to concentrate stress at the center of the specimen gauge, and propagates along a facet parallel to the local {1 1 1} crystallographic plane. Analysis of available crystallographic slip directions and measured point-to-point disorientation axes indicate probable single and coplanar slip activity along FCC octahedral planes within this region. Similar analyses of other crack propagation facets reveal generally slower growth along directions favoring zig-zag cross and codirectional cross slip, which are often disfavored at room temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In-situ observations of cyclic deformation in an extruded Mg-2Nd-1Y-0.1Zr-0.1Ca alloy

In this study, the evolution of deformation mechanisms during cyclic loading in an extruded, solution-treated Mg–2Nd–1Y–0.1Zr–0.1Ca alloy was investigated using a combination of in-situ loading, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and focused ion beam (FIB) nanofabrication. The initial microstructure exhibited a random crystallographic texture with no preferred grain orientation. Flat, rectangular dog-bone specimens were subjected to load-controlled, fully reversed fatigue for 50 cycles, during which the same region was sequentially mapped to track microstructural changes. After 10 cycles of loading deformation twins were observed. During tensile reloading detwinning or narrowing of those twinned regions occurred. After 20 cycles, detwinning ceased and residual twins remained in the material. SEM imaging revealed numerous surface slip traces after cyclic loading. EBSD-assisted slip trace analysis identified the activation of prismatic and pyramidal < c+a> slip systems during low-cycle fatigue. Site-specific scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) further revealed that deformation was also accommodated by basal < a> slip and the dissociation of < c+a> dislocations. Center-of-symmetry (COS) analysis confirmed that the dissociation of < c+a> dislocations resulted in the formation of I₁ intrinsic stacking faults after cyclic loading. These findings provide new insights into the complex interplay of dislocation mechanisms governing fatigue deformation in rare-earth-containing Mg alloys.

Cyclic deformation↗

Cross-slip and easy-glide CRSS in titanium: Theoretical predictions and in-situ TEM measurements

This study investigates the mechanics of prismatic and first-order pyramidal $\langle$a$\rangle$ slip in titanium (Ti), elucidating the physics of easy-glide and cross-slip through a combination of theory and experiments. Screw-character prismatic (Pr) dislocations in Ti are of particular interest because their complex cores can be stable or unstable, leading to activation by either cross-slip or planar glide. To investigate these mechanisms, site-specific micro tensile samples were prepared using focused ion beam (FIB) milling and mounted on a push-to-pull (PTP) device for in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tensile testing. The in-situ experiments provide direct observations of the onset of dislocation motion and the precise determination of the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) for the activated mechanisms, and its evolution with load cycling. A comprehensive theory has been developed to predict the CRSS values for easy glide, cross-slip, and multiplication of dislocations. Predicted critical stresses for pyramidal (π)-to-Pr and reverse cross-slip agree closely with the experimental measurements. The latter cross-slip stress is a factor of two higher than that of unobstructed planar slip. The model accounts for overlapping dislocation cores and employs a Wigner-Seitz based cell to evaluate misfit energies. By combining ab initio density functional theory (DFT) with anisotropic elasticity, the framework identifies minimum energy pathways for dislocation glide, which can be intermittent and zig-zag. A simplified expression utilizing (π) and Pr Schmid factor ratios is proposed for critical stress corresponding to (π)-to-Pr cross-slip transition. The results are strongly dependent on crystal orientation, underscoring non-Schmid behavior. Overall, this study explores key critical stress parameters essential for informing higher-scale simulations of plasticity in Ti.

Critical stress↗

Evidence of lithium mobility under neutron irradiation

Understanding the evolution of intermetallic materials in high-radiation environments is of great importance for fusion science and national security. Tritium ( 3 H) and lithium ( 6 Li, 7 Li) transport within neutron irradiated claddings coated with aluminide (FeAl3) has been investigated using state-of-the-art multimodal imaging. Specifically, scanning electron microscopy – focused ion beam (SEM-FIB) was used to prepare irradiated coating lift-out samples for follow-on microanalysis. Here, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) was used to acquire atomic-scale information on the carbonaceous structure and elemental mapping. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine lift-out dimensions nondestructively. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) spectral and depth profiling show unexpected lithium isotopic distributions in the irradiated cladding, raising an important evidence of possible light isotope mobility within the cladding under elevated temperature and irradiation. ToF-SIMS three-dimensional chemical mappings of mid- and bottom-cladding coatings show light isotopic (e.g., 3 H, 6 Li, 7 Li) distributions in the irradiated coating and give new insights into the fundamental mechanism related to transport mechanisms within the cladding. Multimodal imaging is power to link microstructure, chemistry, and nanoscale defects that impact reliability of these materials. Furthermore, chemical mapping offers observations of the microstructural evolution due to irradiation and provides insights into unexpected material transport under extreme conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal conductivity measurement of the interaction layer between UMo and Al produced by high-energy heavy ion irradiation

In this work, we report the first direct thermal conductivity measurement results for Al-UMo interaction layer (IL), which is typically observed in UMo/Al dispersion fuel plates under irradiation. The investigated IL was formed by irradiating Al coated UMo substrate using 80 MeV iodine ions at 180 degrees C up to 3.03 x 10 17 ions/cm 2 fluence. Microstructural characterization indicated that the induced IL is amorphous with an approximately (U 0.8 ,Mo 0.2 )Al 5.3 stoichiometry, which is similar to that formed under in-pile irradiation. Focused ion beam (FIB) was used to prepare nine specimens of various lengths from the IL that could be suspended across a microfabricated device for thermal conductivity measurement. The measured thermal conductivity values of the IL were significantly lower than the values for both the original UMo fuel and the Al. The successful measurement of the Al-UMo IL provides valuable information for the development and qualification of UMo/Al dispersion fuels for research and test reactor conversion applications, and further demonstrates the promising capabilities of utilizing the suspended bridge method in nuclear fuel research.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

(S)TEM/EDS study of native precipitates and irradiation induced Nb-rich platelets in high-burnup M5®

We have investigated microstructure and microchemistry of precipitates and dislocation loops in high-burnup M5® using (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Two (S)TEM lamellae were made by cryo-FIB from the same cladding sample. The Nb-rich native precipitates were found in the metal, in the suboxide and in the oxide. Upon diffraction analysis, most of the Nb-rich native precipitates in the metal matrix remain as β-Nb phase, while no β-Nb native precipitates were found in the oxide. Nearby the oxide and metal (O/M) interface, the native precipitates in the oxide were already oxidized into t-NbO2 phase. At further distance away from the O/M interface, the Nb-rich native precipitates were gradually oxidized and became amorphous. Besides the native precipitates, Nb-rich irradiation induced precipitates (IIPs) were found in the metal matrix. Using g = <0002> vector for imaging, the length of the IIPs was aligned with dislocation loops. However, no Nb segregation to the dislocation loops themselves was observed. For the first time, we report that IIPs indeed exist in the oxide but only within about 1.5 µm away from O/M interface. However, the oxidation state of the IIPs in the oxide is still unclear. The presence of both native precipitates and IIPs in the oxide may indicate the Nb concentration in the oxide solid solution remain low nearby the O/M interface, which may explain the reduced corrosion kinetics of in-pile M5®. On the other hand, no IIPs were observed in the oxide at further distance and this may indicate that they have eventually dissolved back into the oxide. A few mechanisms related to IIPs stability in the oxide are presented.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Evolution of Microstructure and Surface Characteristics of FeCrAl alloys when Subjected to Flow Boiling Testing

FeCrAl alloys are candidate materials for manufacturing accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding intended for light water reactors to increase fuel reliability and safety during design-basis and beyond-design-basis accident scenarios. The evolution of the materials' surface characteristics, microstructure, and mechanical properties when exposed to the Critical Heat Flux (CHF) in flow boiling testing is crucial for safety analysis while providing insights into their thermal-hydraulic performance in nuclear reactors. After CHF, the surface chemistry of two FeCrAl alloys, APMT and C26M, was studied to understand their evolution at the early stage of high-temperature excursions in short time periods. The results indicated a thin layer composed of oxides and hydroxides of Al, Cr, and Fe with varying proportions at different depths in the layer, as indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and depth profiling. The cross-sections prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) revealed the growth of an oxide layer, in the range of 90-180 nm thick, on the alloys' surfaces. The evolution of the materials' surface chemistry also led to a noticeable post CHF excursion increase in their wettability, with a slight increase in roughness. Further, the investigation of the materials' mechanical properties indicated a modest increase in hardness by 10-15% as well as an increase in their yield strength, as evidenced by the microindentation and ring compression tests conducted before and after CHF testing. Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate microstructural features of the materials and their changes after CHF treatment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Transmission electron microscopy study of a high burnup U-10Zr metallic fuel

To support the development of U-10 wt.% Zr (U-10Zr) metallic fuel for Gen IV sodium-cooled fast reactors, we analysed a solid, Na-bonded, U-10Zr (by weight percent) fuel cross section that was irradiated to a burnup of ~ 12.4 % at.% at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). Advanced characterization techniques, including site specific sample preparation by focused ion beam (FIB) and phase/chemical determination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were used to reveal the constituent redistribution of Zr, characterize the fuel phases and the secondary phases (such as solid fission products) present at the end of life. It is shown that the fuel pin cross section is divided into three major concentric zones: a Zr-rich central region, a Zr-lean intermediate region, and a Zr intermediate peripherical region. The phase characterization revealed that the irradiation environment enhanced the development and stabilization of phases not predicted by the standard equilibrium U-Zr phase diagrams. Comparing the current results with the ones from previous studies, it is reaffirmed that the irradiation temperature and the time spent in the reactor, rather than the fuel burnup, are the two factors that most influence the formation of redistribution zones and their extension along the fuel cross section. Various solid fission products precipitated inside the fission gas pores, such as lanthanides, ZrRu, BaTe, CsI, and Ba and Sr oxides. Here, this study provides unprecedented nanoscale understandings in the U-10Zr fuel system that may benefit fuel performance modelling and advanced fuel development.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Microstructural heterogeneity of the buffer layer of TRISO nuclear fuel particles

Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel particles contain a layered spherical shell designed to retain fission products; however, failure occurs in rare cases—commonly initiated in the porous pyrocarbon buffer layer. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of the buffer-initiated failure mechanisms requires detailed characterization of the buffer porosity and its heterogeneous distribution across multiple length scales. Here we performed FIB-SEM tomography across the buffer layer thickness (~100 µm) to produce 3D reconstructions of the buffer microstructure with 50 nm spatial resolution. We found an average overall porosity of ~14%, which does not solely account for the low density of the buffer (50% of the theoretical density). Additionally, the local porosity and its fluctuation increase from the kernel interface towards the inner pyrocarbon (IPyC) layer, which we attribute to the chemical vapor deposition process conditions during the TRISO particle fabrication. Detailed characterization of the porous microstructure—including analysis of the pore size, distribution, shape, and orientation—provides insight into the process-structure-property-performance relations of TRISO nuclear fuel particles and will inform multiscale models designed to predict the failure of TRISO particles under irradiation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Defect-specific strength factors and superposition model for predicting strengthening of ion irradiated Fe18Cr alloy

Here, a high-purity binary alloy Fe18Cr was subjected to heavy-ion irradiation in order to provide improved understanding of the irradiation effect on radiation hardening associated with dislocation loop and network formation, α’ precipitation. The specimens were irradiated with 8 MeV Fe ions (~2 μm ion range) to midrange doses of 0.37 and 3.7 dpa at 300, 350 and 450 °C using dose rates of ~10 –5 –10 –3 dpa/s. Nanoindentation testing was performed to extract the bulk equivalent hardness at low depth from these ion irradiated specimens. High-quality transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were acquired by utilizing a flash electropolishing method on the Focused Ion Beam (FIB) prepared liftouts. An accurate calculation of the strength factor was provided based on detailed TEM characterization of the irradiated microstructures. A newly refined hardening superposition method was applied to combine the strengthening components from each microstructure. The good agreement between microstructure predicted strength and measured strength further demonstrated the fidelity to use hardening model to quantify the mechanical properties of ion irradiated materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Length scale effects of micro- and meso-scale tensile tests of unirradiated and irradiated Zircaloy-4 cladding

Zircaloy-4 is an essential material for cladding structures within fission-based reactors. To explore the changes in properties measured on differing length scales, FIB-machined micro-scale tensile tests were performed on both irradiated and control groups of Zircaloy-4. This was correlated with tensile testing on femtosecond laser-machined meso-scale specimens. Pronounced size effects were found when varying specimen geometry. Increases in tensile geometry size were associated with a reduction in measured yield stress for both irradiated and unirradiated samples. Here, meso-scale testing found strength and strain values similar to that of bulk-scale testing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Speciation mapping of the oxidation layer on aged uranium dioxide using scanning transmission x-ray spectromicroscopy

In this study, UO 2 was aged in humid air and prepared as a thin section using a focused ion beam (FIB) instrument. The specimen was measured using synchrotron radiation spectromicroscopy techniques at the Beamline 11.0.2 STXM end station of the Advanced Light Source (ALS). Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) methods were used to identify and map three component x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra in the oxygen K-edge data, revealing a surface layer of U 4 O 9 with a thickness of 206 ± 21 nm, and the bulk of the sample remaining as UO 2 . Uranium N 4,5 -edge XANES spectromicroscopy supports these results. The diffusion-controlled parabolic rate constant for UO 2 oxidation to U 4 O 9 was calculated from the observed layer thickness and compared to literature values. Complementary transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to image the sample and identify the phases present in various regions, confirming the STXM results.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Direct Observation of Tungsten Oxidation Studied by In Situ Environmental TEM

In this study, in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) was applied, for the first time, to investigate the thermal oxidation of a pristine and a self-ion irradiated polycrystalline tungsten, using a MEMS-based gas cell at 500 oC to 900 oC in a 1 bar 2%O2/N2 gas mixture. By tracking the dynamic evolution of the tungsten oxide scale as it initiates, grows, and sublimates during a consecutive thermal oxidation experiment, we observed two distinctive tungsten oxide microstructure – one nanocrystalline o-WO3 scale grown on W{27-1 } and W{1-1 8} and another o-WO3 scale exhibits a novel highly textured nanostructure. While the two oxide microstructures shared a similar thickness of ~200 nm after 40-minute early-stage oxidation, the nanocrystalline scale on the W{27-1 } grew much more rapidly at 800 oC than the highly textured oxide at a higher temperature of 900 oC. This suggests both the microstructure of these tungsten oxide scales as well as their oxidation kinetics are highly sensitive to the tungsten surface orientation, and such correlations also change dynamically in the course of oxidation. We also discuss the tungsten oxidation mechanism, the effects of the TEM foil thickness, and the focused ion beam (FIB) Ga+ damage on in situ ETEM oxidation.

In situ ETEM, Tungsten, Thermal oxidation, Orienta↗

Correlating dislocation structures to basal and prismatic slip bands near grain boundaries in tensile-tested Mg–4Al using a multiscale electron microscopy approach

Dislocation structures where basal and prismatic slip bands meet grain boundaries in tensile-tested Mg with 4 wt% Al (Mg–4Al) were studied using a multiscale electron microscopy approach to explore the assumptions made for the dislocation pileup theory: a) slip bands consist of dislocation arrays piling up near grain boundaries, and b) stress concentration in the adjacent grain is solely caused by dislocation pileup. After post-testing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) scans, focused-ion-beam (FIB) lift-out specimens were prepared from regions of interest so that the specimen plane is parallel to the bulk sample surface to allow for direct correlation between mesoscale and microscale characterization. High dislocation density and the dislocation arrays in the slip bands corroborated with the first assumption. Evidence of plastic deformation in all grains, however, showed that the second assumption was false. Additionally, dislocation structures including crystal rotation boundaries and dislocations dissociating to the basal plane provide additional stress relief mechanisms near grain boundaries that are not accounted for in many crystal plasticity models, which requires auxiliary models to more accurately predict the stress and strain distribution in a microstructure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗