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At least 199 records · Page 11

Evaluation of Three Constitutive Models for the Prediction of Hastelloy X Elevated Temperature Cyclic Response

The approach for the method development assumes that, for a thermally loaded structure, the overall strain history is defined by linear elastic analysis. The local stress history at a fatigue critical location is then determined from a one dimensional material behavior model and the local strain and temperature conditions. Three material models are currently being evaluated to assess their ability to predict relevant high temperature cyclic material response characteristics. They are: a time independent classical plasticity and creep representation, a time dependent viscoplastic model capable of predicting combined creep and plasticity effects, and an approximate elastic analysis approach that uses a series of stress-strain curves and a cyclic hardening model to determine reverse plasticity.

Moreno, V.↗

Bubble trajectories in rotating drops

The investigation summarized in this paper describes recent normal gravity experiments involving the behavior of compound drops in rotating flows and in particular, the subsequent migration of the less dense phase (air bubble) toward the rotation axis. The data are compared to two models. The first was developed to predict the trajectory of a fluid particle in an infinitely large drop in the presence of both gravitational and rotational fields at the limit of quasi-steady creeping flow. The second predicts the trajectory of a fluid particle in a compound drop in the presence of a rotational field and at the limit of creeping flow. Gravity has not yet been incorporated into this second model.

Brone, D.↗

Evaluation of Reduced Order Model for HT-9 Creep and Modifications to Current HT-9 Creep Model in BISON

In order to leverage existing reduced order models (ROM) for the modeling of LANL-developed HT-9 cladding constitutive behavior, mechanistic-based models have been implemented into BISON. It is posited that the increased fidelity of the ROM will show improvement over engineering-scale models in terms of comparison against experimental measurements. INL will assist LANL in implementing an HT9 ROM in BISON. Once the HT-9 mechanistic constitutive model can be leveraged in nuclear performance simulations, the numerical results of fast reactor models will be analyzed and compared against the Fuels Irradiation & Physics Database (FIPD) and separate effects tests to attempt a validation process. INL and LANL will work together to perform any necessary improvement that is identified during the implementation and use processes. Successful completion of the milestone will enable the general use of validated mechanistic ROMs for HT-9 cladding in BISON. This report provides a brief introduction to the Los Alamos Reduced Order Model Applied to Nonlinear Constitutive Equations (LAROMANCE) code, mechanical testing used to illustrate its creep and plastic deformation predictions for HT-9 cladding, and a comparison with existing models implemented into BISON. Current models have been modified to more appropriately account for primary thermal creep and results for corresponding testing are included in this report.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

System code evaluation of near-term accident tolerant claddings during pressurized water reactor station blackout accidents

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in 2011, researches on Accident-tolerant fuels (ATFs) are currently of high interest in not only the nuclear industry but also governmental and international organizations. In this work, a quantitative evaluation of the performance of monolithic FeCrAl cladding and Cr-coated Zircaloy cladding has been performed for Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Station Blackout (SBO) accidents. A generic PWR model has been built in system thermal-hydraulics code TRACE based on the Surry Nuclear Power Station with counter-current natural circulation modelling capability for hotleg and steam generator U-tube components during the accidents. The base model results are then compared to MELCOR and RELAP simulations to verify the system component implementation in TRACE. Two PWR SBO scenarios were investigated, including: short-term SBO and long-term SBO with early reactor coolant pump (RCP) seal failure. These scenarios are defined to be very similar to the accidents studied in the State-of-the-Art Reactor Consequence Analysis (SOARCA) project. TRACE code is modified to reflect the oxidation kinetics of FeCrAl and Cr-coating. Larson-Miller creep rupture model is also implemented in TARCE using its built-in control systems to simulate the creep rupture of hotlegs. Additionally, the comparison between the TRACE models with and without the counter-current flow modeling resulted in significant difference when comparing ATF cladding to Zircaloy for short term SBO, while it marginal impacted the performance during long term SBO with RCP seal failure. For short term SBO, both ATF cladding underwent hot leg creep rupture ~20 min after Zircaloy cladding. While Zircaloy and Cr-coated cladding had generated significant amount of hydrogen gas (>10 kg) before the creep rupture event, FeCrAl cladding had only generated <0.5 kg of hydrogen gas. For long term SBO with RCP seal failure, significant hydrogen generation and fuel melting was predicted before hot leg creep rupture for the ATF cladding while providing only 10–20 min additional coping time compared to Zircaloy.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A literature review on fatigue and creep interaction

Life-time prediction methods, which are based on a number of empirical and phenomenological relationships, are presented. Three aspects are reviewed: effects of testing parameters on high temperature fatigue, life-time prediction, and high temperature fatigue crack growth.

Chen, W. C.↗

Integrated Computational Materials and Mechanical Modeling for Additive Manufacturing of Alloys with Graded Structure Used in Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has demonstrated its unique capability of producing large-size alloy components with a significantly reduced fabrication time and enhanced geometry design freedom. In this project, the team has developed an ICME (Integrated Computational Materials Engineering) modeling framework, which supports the WAAM of the AUSC (Advanced Ultra-Supercritical) power plant components. The manufacturing design has been applied to Inconel 740H, steel P91, as well as the dissimilar alloy components between steel P91 and Inconel 740H. The ICME model framework is developed by considering two types of modeling. First, mechanistic modeling has been applied to control the printing quality and understand the sequence of the dissimilar printing of the wall structure. The following models have been included in the developed ICME framework: finite element thermal model, grain structure model, residual stress simulation, crystal plasticity model, CALPHAD-based precipitation kinetic model, phase stability prediction, thermal expansion predictive model, and heuristic creep model. Secondary, a physics-based machine learning model has also been developed based on the ICME model structure. The machine learning model development is based on the ICME model prediction with calibration of the experiments. In addition, the WAAM has been utilized as a high-throughput experimental tool rapidly generating a gradient of alloy composition to facilitate experimental database generation for process-structure-property relationships. Such a database directly supported the ICME-enhanced machine learning, which further assisted in intermediate composition block design between P91 and 740H. A high-throughput screening study of the oxidation resistance has been performed based on such high-throughput experimentation. Based on the computational design, several dissimilar alloy manufacturing with post-heat treatment have been performed with a comprehensive evaluation of mechanical performance, including hardness mapping, yield strength, creep resistance. In this project, the single component of P91 and 740H processed by WAAM after heat treatment designed by ICME has demonstrated higher performance in yield strength and creep resistance than the wrought materials. The P91 sample prepared by WAAM with ICME-designed heat treatment performs better than P92 in creep resistance. The designed graded alloy printing with intermediate block shows a promising performance that exceeds the traditional welding. Moreover, the current research indicates the high need for location-specific design analysis with uncertainty quantification, an important topic that deserves more dedicated research. The achievement of this project demonstrated the promising future of WAAM in structural alloy manufacturing for energy power plant development. Successful printing requires synergetic efforts made by manufacturing, mechanical, and materials sciences.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Improved Models of Long-Term Creep Behavior of High Performance Structural Alloys

In this program, QuesTek Innovations LLC, a leader in the field of computational materials design, proposes to develop a robust creep-modeling toolkit that expands its computational Materials by Design® technology, in order to predict the long-term creep performance of materials for base alloys and weldments in fossil energy systems under wide thermal and mechanical conditions. The Material Database Group of NIMS (National Institute for Material Science, JAPAN) provides reliable public data for long-term creep behavior over 300,000 hours (> 34 years) for a variety of materials including high Cr steels along with seminal work performed by EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) on creep failure of these steels. QuesTek would rely on these premier institutions for experimental data needed to calibrate models. The developed tool has wider applications than the state-of-the-art modeling tools. It includes the effects of chemistry variations, microstructure variation (weldments) etc .which is lacking in many available models requiring the model to be calibrated to large number of datasets for accurate predictions. A model based on fundamental mechanism has promises in application to different materials, other than the demonstrated material (Grade 91 steels) in the current program. As a result of such an effort, we envision greatly advancing the state-of-the-art modeling tools for creep life assessments of different materials.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Life prediction and constitutive models for engine hot section anisotropic materials program

The purpose is to develop life prediction models for coated anisotropic materials used in gas temperature airfoils. Two single crystal alloys and two coatings are now being tested. These include PWA 1480; Alloy 185; overlay coating, PWA 286; and aluminide coating, PWA 273. Constitutive models are also being developed for these materials to predict the plastic and creep strain histories of the materials in the lab tests and for actual design conditions. This nonlinear material behavior is particularily important for high temperature gas turbine applications and is basic to any life prediction system.

Swanson, G. A.↗

Multi-scale experimental study of creep-fatigue failure initiation in a 709 Stainless Steel alloy using high resolution digital image correlation. Final report

This report discusses the efforts made towards the multi-scale study of the creep-fatigue response of stainless steel 709. Multiple experimental techniques, including digital image correlation (DIC) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), were used in assessing the evolution of damage accumulation during fatigue, creep-fatigue, and thermomechanical fatigue of alloy 709. The role of microstructural features, hold times, temperature, and loading profiles were quantified and the interchangeability of temperature and time was investigated. Finally, a thermomechanical fatigue model was shown to predict well the failure of samples with varying loading profiles. Results indicate that strain accumulation in 709 steel happens primarily near grain boundaries (GBs) with the strains around GBs being inversely proportional to their measured residual burgers vector. Furthermore, hot-spots for strain accumulation were shown to be the locations of eventual microcrack nucleation. The introduction of hold times to the periodic loading cycle increases the damage accumulation rate and thus shortens the fatigue life of samples–this was true for both room temperature and high temperature. Thermomechanical cycling was shown to have little effect on the end life of samples, with the damage accumulation rate for in-phase and out-of-phase cycling being similar to isothermal fatigue. The interchangeability of time and temperature was shown to be possible within the studied load, time, and temperature ranges, since deformation mechanisms driving strain accumulation did not change with temperature (up to 650°C). The Neu-Sehitoglu thermomechanical fatigue model, with constants obtained from the literature and in part from our experimental results, was applied to predict failure of isothermal creep-fatigue samples. The main objectives of this work were to:(a) Perform high-resolution digital image correlation measurements (HiDIC) for alloy 709; (b) Quantify and assess damage accumulation at the microstructure under fatigue, TMF, and creep-fatigue conditions of 709; (c) Study of the role of hold times, i.e., adding a creep component, to: Room temperature cycling, High temperature cycling, Failure; (d) Study the mechanisms of thermomechanical fatigue in this alloy; (e) Investigate the existence of a time-temperature interchangeability criterion to aid in accelerated creep-fatigue testing; (f) Establish the validity of a combined creep-fatigue model for life prediction for 709. This report is structured with each subsequent section detailing the efforts, results, and conclusions related to each of the objectives described, mostly in chronological order.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Combined Influence of Molecular Weight and Temperature on the Aging and Viscoelastic Response of a Glassy Thermoplastic Polyimide

The effect of molecular weight on the viscoelastic performance of an advanced polymer (LaRC-SI) was investigated through the use of creep compliance tests. Testing consisted of short-term isothermal creep and recovery with the creep segments performed under constant load. The tests were conducted at three temperatures below the glass transition temperature of five materials of different molecular weight. Through the use of time-aging-time superposition procedures, the material constants, material master curves and aging-related parameters were evaluated at each temperature for a given molecular weight. The time-temperature superposition technique helped to describe the effect of temperature on the timescale of the viscoelastic response of each molecular weight. It was shown that the low molecular weight materials have higher creep compliance and creep rate, and are more sensitive to temperature than the high molecular weight materials. Furthermore, a critical molecular weight transition was observed to occur at a weight-average molecular weight of M (bar) (sub w) 25000 g/mol below which, the temperature sensitivity of the time-temperature superposition shift factor increases rapidly. The short-term creep compliance data were used in association with Struik's effective time theory to predict the long-term creep compliance behavior for the different molecular weights. At long timescales, physical aging serves to significantly decrease the creep compliance and creep rate of all the materials tested.

Nicholson, Lee M.↗

Constitutive Theory Developed for Monolithic Ceramic Materials

With the increasing use of advanced ceramic materials in high-temperature structural applications such as advanced heat engine components, the need arises to accurately predict thermomechanical behavior that is inherently time-dependent and that is hereditary in the sense that the current behavior depends not only on current conditions but also on the material's thermomechanical history. Most current analytical life prediction methods for both subcritical crack growth and creep models use elastic stress fields to predict the time-dependent reliability response of components subjected to elevated service temperatures. Inelastic response at high temperatures has been well documented in the materials science literature for these material systems, but this issue has been ignored by the engineering design community. From a design engineer's perspective, it is imperative to emphasize that accurate predictions of time-dependent reliability demand accurate stress field information. Ceramic materials exhibit different time-dependent behavior in tension and compression. Thus, inelastic deformation models for ceramics must be constructed in a fashion that admits both sensitivity to hydrostatic stress and differing behavior in tension and compression. A number of constitutive theories for materials that exhibit sensitivity to the hydrostatic component of stress have been proposed that characterize deformation using time-independent classical plasticity as a foundation. However, none of these theories allow different behavior in tension and compression. In addition, these theories are somewhat lacking in that they are unable to capture the creep, relaxation, and rate-sensitive phenomena exhibited by ceramic materials at high temperatures. The objective of this effort at the NASA Lewis Research Center has been to formulate a macroscopic continuum theory that captures these time-dependent phenomena. Specifically, the effort has focused on inelastic deformation behavior associated with these service conditions by developing a multiaxial viscoplastic constitutive model that accounts for time-dependent hereditary material deformation (such as creep and stress relaxation) in monolithic structural ceramics. Using continuum principles of engineering mechanics, we derived the complete viscoplastic theory from a scalar dissipative potential function.

Janosik, Lesley A.↗

Effects of Aging-Time Reference on the Long Term Behavior of the IM7/K3B Composite

An analytical study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the time-based shift reference on the long term behavior of the graphite reinforced thermoplastic polyimide composite IM7/K3B at elevated temperature. Creep compliance and the effects of physical aging on the time dependent response was measured for uniaxial loading at several isothermal conditions below the glass transition temperature (T(sub g). Two matrix dominated loading modes, shear and transverse, were investigated in tension and compression. The momentary sequenced creep/aging curves were collapsed through a horizontal (time) shift using the shortest, middle and longest aging time curve as the reference curve. Linear viscoelasticity was used to characterize the creep/recovery behavior and superposition techniques were used to establish the physical aging related material constants. The use of effective time expressions in a laminated plate model allowed for the prediction of long term creep compliance. The effect of using different reference curves with time/aging-time superposition was most sensitive to the physical aging shift rate at lower test temperatures. Depending on the loading mode, the reference curve used can result in a more accurate long term prediction, especially at lower test temperatures.

Veazie, David R.↗

Development of a creep model informed by lower-length scale simulations to simulate creep in doped UO 2

Using molecular dynamics, we predict information at the atomistic scale used to develop a mechanistic UO 2 creep model for use in higher length-scale fuel performance codes. The ultimate objective of the model is to better describe the grain size dependence and therefore impact of doping on creep rates in UO 2 . In a previous NEAMS milestone, we found that Nabarro-Herring (bulk diffusional) creep was too low to capture the experimentally observed creep rates in standard UO 2 . Moreover, in that milestone, other mechanisms were explored, such as Coble (grain boundary) creep and dislocation climb, with each mechanism exhibiting different grain size dependencies. Again, these were orders of magnitude too low to describe the experimental creep rates. In this work, we address the previous assumptions made for the Coble creep mechanism by investigating the diffusivity of various defects at grain boundaries in UO 2 and, critically, to determine if enhanced grain boundary diffusivity allows the model to better reproduce experimental results. The diffusivity as a function of temperature for different concentrations of uranium vacancies and interstitials for bulk UO 2 have also been examined using cluster dynamics. Furthermore, using a concentration dependent segregation model, the concentration of defects at the grain boundary were predicted. This atomistic data was then input into the various creep mechanisms and the creep rates compared to the empirical MATPRO correlation (used in BISON) and experiment.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Damage modeling of power tower receiver tubes using the SRLIFE tool

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) molten-salt central receivers are subject to high, transient incident flux during daily operation. The resulting creep-fatigue damage impacts the receiver’s reliability and restricts the permissible incident flux distribution for a given receiver. This paper aims to reduce CSP plants’ levelized cost of electricity by developing a methodology to predict lifetime and identifies the primary damage mechanism (creep vs fatigue) for any given fluid temperature and temperature gradient. Results are presented in the form of a damage map that serves as a valuable operation guide and design tool. Damage maps can be used to reduce maintenance costs by improving reliability and reduce receiver capital costs by better utilizing the receiver area. FEA simulation and damage modeling of tubes subject to asymmetrical flux conditions is performed in the open-source receiver design tool srlife. Parametric studies are performed over a range of inner tube temperatures and thermal gradients for A230, 316H, 740H, A282, A617, and 800H high temperature alloys. Damage maps are presented for each alloy. A parametric, FEA-based methodology is presented for comparison of fatigue-creep ratios and prediction of tube lifetime based on the critical thermal operating conditions. Fatigue is found to be negligible compared to creep for almost every case. Here, this finding suggests that fatigue effects associated with cloud events are insignificant compared to creep at these high temperature operating conditions. Additionally, lifetime predictions identify thermal conditions where small changes in operating conditions can result in large changes in predicted lifetime.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Damage Accumulations Predictions for Boiler Components Via Microstructurally Informed Material Models

The goal of the project was to model material behavior and degradation during cyclic plasticity— with and without hold time—for nickel-based superalloys used in USC (ultra-super-critical) and A-USC (advanced-ultra-super-critical) boiler components. The study provided physically informed models, capturing the microstructural changes taking place in the industrial components under cyclic loading and long duration stress (up to 300,000 hours) and high temperature exposure (1100°F/593°C to 1400°F/760°C). The major developments were: 1) Qualitative and quantitative understanding of microstructure evolution (gamma prime precipitates), deformation (dislocation density), and damage mechanisms of Haynes ® 282 alloy. 2) Qualitative understanding of microstructural features generating local strain variations. 3) A continuum damage mechanics model (CDM) for Haynes ® 282 alloy at 1100°F to 1400°F capturing cyclic behavior with and without hold time. 4) Structural analysis for creep and LCF life predictions of an USC thick-wall Grade 91 superheater steel header and understanding life sensitivity to wall thickness of an AUSC Haynes ® 282 header.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Creep and Fatigue Characterization of High Strength Alloy Thin Sections in Advanced CO2 Heat Exchangers

The objective of this work was to characterize and model elevated temperature creep and fatigue behavior for thin sheet and foil forms of gamma-prime strengthened alloys in wrought form and as-processed folded and brazed constructions. This work was motivated by the demanding temperature and pressure service conditions of the GEN3 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycle working fluid. More specifically, the possibility of leveraging the superior creep strength of gamma-prime alloys in folded-fin and brazed-plate heat exchanger constructions. Gamma-prime alloys represent a step-change in raw-material strength over solid-solution strengthened alloys. And the folded-fin and brazed-plate heat exchanger architecture is lightweight and leverages cost-effective material stock forms. The investigation contained two parallel paths. (1) The first is referred to as a fundamental investigation where Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducts uniaxial creep testing on thin sheet and foil in wrought form. This effort aimed to serve as a benchmark against a relatively sparse existing database and a baseline comparison for path number 2. (2) The second path is referred to as the practical investigation where Brayton Energy manufactures plate-fin heat exchangers and performs pressurized creep and fatigue testing. This effort aimed to de-risk heat exchanger manufacturing process for service under sCO2 CSP conditions. A total of 14 uniaxial creep tests were completed using Haynes 282 thin sheet and foil. A variety of heat treatments were specified to coincide with path number 2. Baseline metallography of test samples and creep strength performance are contained. Benchmarks relatively to existing thick-form Haynes 282 are made, as well as to other thin-form Nickel-based superalloys. Description of a wrought-form modeling approach for thin gamma-prime alloys is also discussed. A total of 11 pressurized creep and fatigue tests were completed successfully with Haynes 282 heat exchanger prototypes. Manufacturing processing details, testing details, testing results, and failure analysis are discussed. Additionally, creep modeling techniques to predict failure are discussed, and modeling to support technological-to-market. In conclusion, Haynes 282 foils were demonstrated to yield rupture two-to-three orders of magnitude higher than Haynes 230 foils under similar conditions. And the manufactured heat exchanger prototypes demonstrated strength similar to the wrought constituents. Both of which contribute to elevated performance potential or cost savings in practice. Discussion is included.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Preseismic Fault Creep and Elastic Wave Amplitude Precursors Scale With Lab Earthquake Magnitude for the Continuum of Tectonic Failure Modes

Tectonic faults fail in a continuum of modes from slow earthquakes to elastodynamic rupture. Precursory variations in elastic wavespeed and amplitude, interpreted as indicators of imminent failure, have been observed in limited natural settings and lab experiments where they are thought to arise from contact rejuvenation and microcracking within and around the fault zone. However, the physical mechanisms and connections to fault creep are poorly understood. Here we vary loading stiffness during frictional shear to generate a range of slip modes and measure fault zone properties using transmitted elastic waves. We find that elastic wave amplitudes show clear changes before fault failure. The temporal onset of amplitude reduction scales with lab earthquake magnitude and the magnitude of this reduction varies with fault slip. Our data provide clear evidence of precursors to lab earthquakes and suggest that continuous seismic monitoring could be useful for assessing fault state and seismic hazard potential.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Stirling engine: Available tools for long-life assessment

A review is presented for the durability approaches applicable to long-time life assessment of Stirling engine hot-section components. The crucial elements are experimental techniques for generating long-time materials property data (both monotonic and cyclic flow and failure properties); analytic representations of slow strain rate material stress-strain response characteristics (monotonic and cyclic constitutive relations) at high temperatures and low stresses and strains; analytic creep-fatigue-environmental interaction life prediction methods applicable to long lifetimes at high temperatures and small stresses and strains; and experimental verification of life predictions. Long-lifetime design criteria for materials of interest are woefully lacking. Designing against failures due to creep, creep-rupture, fatigue, environmental attack, and creep-fatigue-environmental interaction will require considerable extrapolation. Viscoplastic constitutive models and time-temperature parameters will have to be calibrated for the hot-section materials of interest. Analysis combined with limited verification testing in a short-time regime will be required to build confidence in long-lifetime durability models.

Halford, Gary R.↗