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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

In situ neutron diffraction in quantifying deformation behaviors of nano-sized carbide strengthened UFG ferritic steel

Here, the microstructures and mechanical properties of a low-alloy medium-carbon steel with a duplex microstructure composed of nanoscale spheroidized carbides in ultrafine-grained (UFG) ferritic steel are examined. The average grain size of the studied steel is ~ 430 nm, and these grains coexist with numerous carbides. Neutron diffraction reveals that the intensity of (011) and (022) peaks for the UFG sample is significantly enhanced, suggesting that the (011)//RD texture is a result of the warm rolling process. The lattice parameter of UFG steel is smaller than that of a martensitic steel (M steel) counterpart, indicating a lower carbon concentration in the lattice. The estimated dislocation densities for M steel and UFG steel are 2.59 × 10 14 cm –2 and 1.76 × 10 12 cm –2 , respectively. The UFG steel reveals a nearly isotropic lattice strain response under initial tension from 0 to 450 MPa, where the lattice strains of the (110), (002), and (112) planes are identical. The increase of lattice strain of the (110) plane becomes smaller than that of the (002) and (112) planes as the stress exceeds 450 MPa, suggesting that the nanosized carbides contribute to the hardening ability by promoting the accumulation of geometrically necessary dislocations around the particles, and the (110) lattice becomes harder compared to the other two planes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Combined Variable-Temperature Neutron Diffraction and Thermogravimetric Analysis Study on a Promising Oxygen Electrode, SrCo 0.9 Nb 0.1 O 3–δ , for Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The present study reported herein investigates the temperature–structure–stoichiometry relationship of a promising oxygen electrode SrCo 0.9 Nb 0.1 O 3-δ over a temperature (T) range from room temperature (RT) to 900 °C. The techniques employed are variable-temperature neutron diffraction (VTND) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). At $T$ < 75 °C, VTND reveals a tetragonal (P4/mmm) structure with a G-type magnetic ordering. Above 75 °C, the nucleus structure remains the same, while the magnetic ordering disappears. A phase transition from tetragonal ($P4/mmm$) to cubic ($Pm\overline3m$) is observed at 412 °C, where the two Co sites and three O sites in the $P4/mmm$ phase converge to one equivalent site, respectively. The phase transition temperature coincides with the peak temperature of oxygen uptake obtained by TGA. It is also observed that the Nb dopant has no preferred Co site to occupy. The oxygen vacancies are mostly located at the O3 site surrounding the Co2 site in the $P4/mmm$ structure. The intermediate-spin state of Co 3+ at the Co2 site is responsible for the observed distortions of CoO 6 octahedra, i.e., elongation of Co2O 6 octahedra and shortening of Co1O 6 octahedra along the c-axis, which is a phenomenon known as Jahn–Teller distortion. At high temperatures, large thermal displacement factor for O 2– is observed with high concentration of oxygen vacancies, providing a structural environment favorable to high O 2– conductivity in Nb-doped SrCoO 3 -based oxygen electrode materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2013

On the crystal energy and structure of A{sub 2}Ti{sub n}O{sub 2n+1} (A=Li, Na, K) titanates by DFT calculations and neutron diffraction

First-principles quantum-mechanical calculations (CRYSTAL09 code, B3LYP functional) were performed on alkali titanates A{sub 2}Ti{sub n}O{sub 2n+1} with layered structure (n=3,4,6). Monoclinic structural types with unshifted (P2{sub 1}/m) and with shifted (C2/m) layers were considered. Crystal energies and full structural details were obtained for all Li, Na, and K phases. Neutron diffraction data were collected on powder samples of P2{sub 1}/m-Li{sub 2}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 7} (a=9.3146(3), b=3.7522(1), c=7.5447(3) Å, β=97.611(4)°) and C2/m-K{sub 2}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 9} (a=18.2578(8), b=3.79160(9), c=12.0242(4) Å, β=106.459(4)°) and their structures were Rietveld-refined. Computed energies show the P2{sub 1}/m arrangement as favoured over the C2/m one for n=3, and the opposite holds for n=6. In the n=4 case the P2{sub 1}/m configuration is predicted to be more stable for Li and Na, and the C2/m one for K titanates. Analysis of Li–O and K–O crystal-chemical environments from experiment and theory shows that the alkali atom bonding is stabilized/destabilized in the different phases consistently with the energy trend. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • The P2{sub 1}/m structure-type is found to be more stable for A{sub 2}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 7} layer titanates. • The C2/m structure-type is found to be more stable for A{sub 2}Ti{sub 6}O{sub 13} layer titanates. • Tetratitanates are predicted to prefer the P2{sub 1}/m (Li and Na) or C2/m (K) structure. • Li–O and K–O bond distances follow a trend consistent with computed phase energies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutron Diffraction Measurement of Residual Stresses, Dislocation Density and Texture in Zr-bonded U-10Mo ''Mini'' Fuel Foils and Plates

Aluminum clad monolithic uranium 10 weight percent molybdenum (U-10Mo) fuel plates are being considered for conversion of several research and test nuclear reactors from high-enriched to low-enriched uranium fuel due to the inherently high density of fissile material. Comprehensive neutron diffraction measurements of the evolution of the textures, residual phase stresses, and dislocation densities in the individual phases of the mini-foils throughout several processing steps and following hot-isostatic pressing to the Al cladding, have been completed. Recovery and recrystallization of the bare U-10Mo fuel foil, as indicated by the dislocation density and texture, are observed depending on the state of the material prior to annealing and the duration and temperature of the annealing process. In general, the HIP procedure significantly reduces the dislocation density, but the final state of the clad plate, both texture and dislocation density, depends strongly on the final processing step of the fuel foil. In contrast, the residual stresses in the clad fuel plate do not depend strongly on the final processing step of the bare foil prior to HIP bonding. Rather, the residual stresses are dominated by the thermal expansion mismatch of the constituent materials of the fuel plate.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effect of nickel on the kinematic stability of retained austenite in carburized bearing steels – In-situ neutron diffraction and crystal plasticity modeling of uniaxial tension tests in AISI 8620, 4320 and 3310 steels

The presence of kinematically metastable retained austenite in the microstructure of bearing components can significantly affect the macro and micro-mechanical material response. In the present work, the influence of Ni on the stability of the retained austenite within three different grades of high carbon bearing steel using in-situ neutron diffraction is investigated. For the first time, the results show that presence of Ni increases the stability of the austenite in the elastic regime whereas the transformation rate remains unaffected. Crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) modeling was used to study the deformation in these three steels and shows that the predominant factor causing the difference in mechanical behavior of these steels is the austenite stability. Finally, the elastic and plastic response of the matrix martensite was found to be identical among all specimens while the austenite demonstrates similar elastic behavior but remarkably different stabilities under monotonic loading.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

In situ X-ray and neutron diffraction of the Ruddlesden–Popper compounds (RE 2–x Sr x )₀.₉₈(Fe₀.₈Co₀.₂) 1–y Mg y O 4–δ (RE=La, Pr): Structure and CO₂ stability

The crystal structure of the Ruddlesden–Popper compounds (La₁.₀Sr₁.₀)₀.₈Fe₁.₀Co₀.₂O 4–δ and (La₁.₂Sr₀.₈)₀.₉₈(Fe₀.₈Co₀.₂)₀.₈Mg₀.₂O 4–δ was investigated at 1000 °C in N₂ (a O₂ =1×10₋₄ by in-situ powder neutron diffraction. In-situ powder X-ray diffraction (PXD) was also employed to investigate the temperature dependence of the lattice parameters of the compounds in air and the oxygen activity dependence of the lattice parameters at 800 °C and 1000 °C. The thermal and chemical expansion coefficients, determined along the two crystallographic directions of the tetragonal unit cell, are highly anisotropic. The equivalent pseudo-cubic thermal and chemical expansion coefficients are in agreement with values determined by dilatometry. The chemical stability in CO₂ containing environments of various Ruddlesden–Popper compounds with chemical formula (RE 2-x Sr x )₀.₉₈(Fe₀.₈Co₀.₂) 1-y Mg y O 4–δ (RE=La, Pr), as well as their stability limit in H₂/H₂O=4.5 were also determined by in-situ PXD for x=0.9, 1.0 and y=0, 0.2. - Graphical abstract: Influence of electronic configuration on bond length, lattice parameters and anisotropic thermal and chemical expansion. Highlights: • The thermal and chemical expansion coefficients are largely anisotropic. • The expansion of the perovskite layers is constrained along the a direction. • The studied compositions show remarkable thermodynamic stability upon reduction. • The thermal and chemical expansion coefficients are lower than related perovskites. • The investigated materials decompose in CO₂ containing atmospheres.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Neutron diffraction measurements and micromechanical modelling of temperature-dependent variations in TATB lattice parameters

Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) is a highly anisotropic molecular crystal used in several plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) formulations. TATB-based explosives exhibit irreversible volume expansion (“ratchet growth”) when thermally cycled. A theoretical understanding of the relationship between anisotropy of the crystal, crystal orientation distribution (texture) of polycrystalline aggregates, and the intergranular interactions leading to this irreversible growth is necessary to accurately develop physics-based predictive models for TATB-based PBXs under various thermal environments. In this work, TATB lattice parameters were measured using neutron diffraction during thermal cycling of loose powder and a pressed pellet. The measured lattice parameters help clarify conflicting reports in the literature as these new results are more consistent with one set of previous results than another. The lattice parameters of pressed TATB were also measured as a function of temperature, showing some differences from the powder. This data is used along with anisotropic single-crystal stiffness moduli reported in the literature to model the nominal stresses associated with intergranular constraints during thermal expansion. The texture of both specimens were characterized and the pressed pellet exhibits preferential orientation of (001) poles along the pressing direction, whereas no preferred orientation was found for the loose powder. Lastly, thermal strains for single-crystal TATB computed from lattice parameter data for the powder is input to a self-consistent micromechanical model, which predicts the lattice parameters of the constrained TATB crystals within the pellet. The agreement of these model results with the diffraction data obtained from the pellet is discussed along with future directions of research.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neutron diffraction from a microgravity-grown crystal reveals the active site hydrogens of the internal aldimine form of tryptophan synthase

Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), the biologically active form of vitamin B6, is an essential cofactor in many biosynthetic pathways. The emergence of PLP-dependent enzymes as drug targets and biocatalysts, such as tryptophan synthase (TS), has underlined the demand to understand PLP-dependent catalysis and reaction specificity. The ability of neutron diffraction to resolve the positions of hydrogen atoms makes it an ideal technique to understand how the electrostatic environment and selective protonation of PLP regulates PLP-dependent activities. Facilitated by microgravity crystallization of TS with the Toledo Crystallization Box, we report the 2.1 Å joint X-ray/neutron (XN) structure of TS with PLP in the internal aldimine form. Positions of hydrogens were directly determined in both the α- and β-active sites, including PLP cofactor. The joint XN structure thus provides insight into the selective protonation of the internal aldimine and the electrostatic environment of TS necessary to understand the overall catalytic mechanism.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutron diffraction studies on chemical and magnetic structure of multiferroic PbFe{sub 0.67}W{sub 0.33}O{sub 3}

We report on the single phase synthesis and room temperature structural characterization of PbFe{sub 0.67}W{sub 0.33}O{sub 3} (PFW) multiferroic. The PFW was synthesized by low temperature sintering, Columbite method. Analysis of powder XRD pattern exhibits single phase formation of PFW with no traces of pyrochlore phase. Detailed analysis of room temperature neutron diffraction (ND) reveals cubic phase at room temperature, space group Pm-3m. The ND pattern clearly reveals magnetic Bragg peak at 2θ = 18.51° (Q = 1.36Å{sup −1}). The refinement of magnetic structure reveals G-type antiferromagnetic structure in PFW at room temperature. The dielectric constant and loss tangent decreases with increasing frequency. The room temperature P-E measurements shows a non-linear slim hysteresis, typical nature of relaxor multiferroics, with saturation and remnant polarizations of P{sub s} = 1.50 μC/cm{sup 2} and P{sub r} = 0.40 μC/cm{sup 2}, respectively.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Lithium insertion properties of Li{sub x}TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7} investigated by neutron diffraction and first-principles modelling

TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7}, a good candidate as anode in lithium batteries, was treated with n-butyllithium to synthesize Li{sub x}TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7} phases similar to those formed during electrochemical reactions. The Li{sub 2.67}TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Li{sub 3.33}TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7} compounds, monoclinic C2/m, were studied by time-of-flight powder neutron diffraction. Their crystal structures, containing 3×3 blocks of (Ti,Nb)O{sub 6} octahedra, were Rietveld refined including Li positions. The Li atoms are distributed in similar amounts over sites with (Li–O) Coordination Numbers 5 and 4, although CN=5 should be preferred for having lower energy. Quantum-mechanical calculations were also performed, determining the average charge–discharge voltages to be 1.415 and 1.571 V for Li{sub 3.33}TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Li{sub 2.67}TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7}, respectively, in good agreement with experimental results. An analysis of the theoretical charge distribution shows that, on lithiation, the chemical reduction of Ti and Nb atoms concentrates in the more condensed peripheral octahedra of the 3×3 block. This corresponds to electrons moving into a partly spin-polarized small band which gives rise to semi-metallic conductivity. - Graphical abstract: Structure of monoclinic Li{sub 3.33}TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7}, and corresponding electron density of states. - Highlights: • Lithium was chemically inserted into the battery anode material TiNb{sub 2}O{sub 7}. • Li atoms are distributed over four- and fivefold oxygen coordinated sites. • On lithiation Nb and Ti atoms are reduced according to a peculiar structural pattern. • Theoretically predicted charge–discharge voltages fit experiments very well.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Magnetic structure of Fe 16 N 2 determined by polarized neutron diffraction on thin-film samples

Strain-free Fe 16 N 2 thin films were obtained on MgO (001) single-crystal substrates with Cr seed layers. Additionally, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the film is textured in all three spatial directions with crystallographic orientation determined by epitaxial constraints from the substrate. Average grain size was estimated to be in the range of tens of nanometers. Ten pieces of 40-nm-thick Fe 16 N 2 thin-film samples were stacked together for half-polarized neutron diffraction study at room temperature. A total of six reflections were usable, from which the magnetic structure of Fe 16 N 2 was determined and compared to existing models. Contrary to most electronic structure calculations, the present results suggest that the magnetic moment of Fe atoms at the 8h site is large and larger than that of the 4d site. Our results support the giant magnetization of Fe 16 N 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

[Cu 32 (H) 20 {S 2 P(O i Pr) 2 } 12 ]: The Largest Number of Hydrides Recorded in a Molecular Nanocluster by Neutron Diffraction

An air- and moisture-stable nanoscale polyhydrido copper cluster [Cu 32 (H) 20 {S 2 P(O i Pr) 2 } 12 ] (1 H ) was synthesized and structurally characterized. The molecular structure of 1 H exhibits a hexacapped pseudo-rhombohedral core of 14 Cu atoms sandwiched between two nestlike triangular cupola fragments of (2x9) Cu atoms in an elongated triangular gyrobicupola polyhedron. The discrete Cu 32 cluster is stabilized by 12 dithiophosphate ligands and a record number of 20 hydride ligands, which were found by high-resolution neutron diffraction to exhibit tri-, tetra-, and pentacoordinated hydrides in capping and interstitial modes. We conclude that this result was further supported by a density functional theory investigation on the simplified model [Cu 32 (H) 20 (S 2 PH 2 ) 12 ].

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Supporting Data for "On the magnetic contribution of itinerant electrons to neutron diffraction in the topological antiferromagnet CeAlGe"

Contents of this DOI are data for the research paper "On the magnetic contribution of itinerant electrons to neutron diffraction in the topological antiferromagnet CeAlGe" by the authors: V. Pomjakushin et al. The dataset contains raw data from neutron scattering experiments of CeAlGe powder performed at the CNCS spectrometer at Spallation Neutron Source at ORNL.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multi-stage load partitioning in additively manufactured Al6061+TiC nanocomposite characterized by in-situ neutron diffraction

Metal matrix composites (MMCs), combining metal matrix and ceramic particles, exhibit high mechanical strength and stiffness compared to conventional metallic materials. During fusion-based additive manufacturing (AM), MMCs undergo a rapid heating and cooling thermal history, which affects the interfacial bonding, thermal misfit stress and mechanical load transfer behavior between the metal matrix and particles, thus impacting the bulk mechanical performance. Here, we investigate the deformation dynamics and phase-specific load transfer in fusion-based AMed Al6061 +TiC MMCs through in-situ neutron diffraction. By calculating the phase-specific lattice strains, a multi-stage load transfer and deformation behavior during uniaxial compression is revealed: (1) elastic deformation in Stage I for both phases; (2) sudden stress rebalance between two phases in Stage II, evidenced by a sudden decrease in Al lattice strain and increase in TiC; (3) active load carrying by both phases in Stage III, with both phases experiencing an increase in lattice strains. Further, the deformation mechanism of each stage is deducted by correlating the evolutions of the interphase stresses and peaks’ broadening and intensity of the Al matrix. The local plastic deformation of the Al matrix near the phase interface is triggered and leads to stress rebalancing in Stage II. The global plastic deformation subsequently propagates throughout the Al matrix in Stage III, and the composite is further hardened through both dislocation multiplication and load transfer. The findings offer valuable insights into deformation and load-sharing behavior in AMed MMCs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutron diffraction study on very high elastic strain of 6% in an Fe{sub 3}Pt under compressive stress

An Fe{sub 3}Pt alloy with degree of order 0.75 exhibits a second-order-like martensitic transformation from a cubic structure to a tetragonal one at about 90 K; its tetragonality c/a changes nearly continuously from 1 to 0.945 on cooling from 90 K to 14 K. We have investigated the change in lattice parameters in a single crystal of the Fe{sub 3}Pt alloy at 93 K under compressive stresses, σ, applied in the [001] direction by neutron diffraction. The tetragonality c/a has decreased continuously from 1 to 0.907 with an increase in |σ| up to |σ| = 280 MPa; the corresponding lattice strain in the [001] direction, due to the continuous structure change, increases from 0% to 6.1%. When the stress of 300 MPa is reached, c/a has changed abruptly from 0.907 to 0.789 due to a first-order martensitic transformation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigation of residual stress distribution in wire-arc directed energy deposited refractory molybdenum alloy utilizing numerical thermo-mechanical analysis and neutron diffraction method

Directed energy deposition (DED), a metal additive manufacturing (AM) technique, offers higher deposition rates and energy efficiency, making it suitable for fabricating components from refractory molybdenum alloys, such as molybdenum-titanium-zirconium (TZM). However, large thermal gradients and non-equilibrium thermal cycles in DED could generate high residual stress in the component, potentially deteriorating quality and performance. Thus, this study aims to investigate residual stress generation and its distribution in wire-arc DED of TZM thin-wall, utilizing thermo-mechanical analysis and high-fidelity neutron diffraction (ND) method. Two interpass temperatures (50°C and 200°C) have been considered to investigate their impact on residual stress formation. During experiments, in-situ thermal data has been recorded using thermocouples, which have been utilized for calibrating the thermal model. Thermocouple data shows a good agreement with the simulation results, having a difference of less than 10 %. Post-deposition part deformation has been observed, which is measured using a coordinate measuring machine, showing maximum values of 0.93 mm and 0.78 mm for interpass temperatures of 50°C and 200°C, respectively. Numerical predictions of distortion deviated by less than 15% from the experimental results. ND measurement and simulation results indicate that residual stress magnitude and evolution vary across the TZM deposits, revealing microstructural anisotropy in both conditions. Notably, lower interpass temperatures resulted in higher residual stresses, confirmed by experimental and simulation data. Further, this study demonstrated that an integrated experimental and thermo-mechanical analysis can potentially reveal the temperature history, part deformation, and residual stress formation in wire-arc DED TZM alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Using Neutron Diffraction to Investigate Texture Evolution During Consolidation of Deuterated Triaminotrinitrobenzene (d-TATB) Explosive Powder

Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) is a highly anisotropic molecular crystal used in several plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) formulations. A complete understanding of the orientation distribution of TATB particles throughout a PBX charge is required to understand spatially variable, anisotropic macroscale properties of the charge. Although texture of these materials can be measured after they have been subjected to mechanical or thermal loads, measuring texture evolution in situ is important in order to identify mechanisms of crystal deformation and reorientation used to better inform thermomechanical models. Neutron diffraction measurements were used to estimate crystallographic reorientation while deuterated TATB (d-TATB) powder was consolidated into a cylindrical pellet via a uniaxial die-pressing operation at room temperature. Both the final texture of the pressed pellet and the in situ evolution of texture during pressing were measured, showing that the d-TATB grains reorient such that (001) poles become preferentially aligned with the pressing direction. A compaction model is used to predict the evolution of texture in the pellet during the pressing process, finding that the original model overpredicted the texture strength compared to these measurements. The theory was extended to account for initial particle shape and pore space, bringing the results into good agreement with the data.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutron diffraction study of the magnetic-field-induced transition in Mn{sub 3}GaC

The antiperovskite Mn{sub 3}GaC undergoes an isostructural cubic–cubic first order transition from a low-temperature, large-cell-volume antiferromagnetic state to a high-temperature, small-cell-volume ferromagnetic state at around 160 K. The transition can also be induced by applying a magnetic field. We study here the isothermal magnetic-field-evolution of the transition as ferromagnetism is stabilized at the expense of antiferromagnetism. We make use of the presence of the two distinct cell volumes of the two magnetic states as a probe to observe by neutron diffraction the evolution of the transition, as the external magnetic field carries the system from the antiferromagnetic to the ferromagnetic state. We show that the large-volume antiferromagnetic and the small-volume ferromagnetic states coexist in the temperature range of the transition. The ferromagnetic state is progressively stabilized as the field increases.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗