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At least 343 records · Page 19

A thermochemical database from high-throughput first-principles calculations and its application to analyzing phase evolution in AM-fabricated IN718

A comprehensive thermochemical database is constructed based on high–throughput first-principles phonon calculations of over 3000 atomic structures in limited concentrations in Ni, Fe, and Co alloys involving a total of 26 elements including Al, B, C, Cr, Cu, Hf, La, Mn, Mo, N, Nb, O, P, Re, Ru, S, Si, Ta, Ti, V, W, Y, and Zr, providing thermochemical data largely unavailable from existing experiments. Here, the database can be employed to predict the equilibrium phase compositions and fractions directly from first-principles by minimizing the chemical potential of a multicomponent system with a fixed overall chemical composition and a fixed temperature. It is applied to the additively manufactured nickel-based IN718 superalloy to analyze the phase evolution with temperature. IN718 is known for its great performance in tensile, fatigue, creep, and rupture strength, combined with easy fabrication and corrosion resistance. In particular, we successfully predicted the formation of L1 0 -FeNi, γ’-Ni 3 (Fe,Al), α-Cr, δ-Ni 3 (Nb,Mo), γ”-Ni 3 Nb, and η-Ni 3 Ti at low temperatures (below 680 K), γ’-Ni 3 Al, δ-Ni 3 Nb, γ”-Ni 3 Nb, α-Cr, and γ-Ni(Fe,Cr,Mo) at intermediate temperatures (between 680 and 1140 K), and δ-Ni 3 Nb and γ-Ni(Fe,Cr,Mo) at high temperatures (above 1140 K) in IN718. These predictions are validated by EDS mapping of compositional distributions and corresponding identifications of phase distributions. The database is expected to be a valuable source for future thermodynamic analysis and microstructure prediction of alloys involving the 26 elements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Connecting Geomechanical Properties with Potential for Proppant Embedment and Production Decline for the Emerging Caney Shale, Oklahoma

The Caney Shale is emerging as a target for hydrocarbon production, creating opportunities to study rock mechanical origins of observed/anticipated challenges to effective and sustained stimulation. Here we examine five subunits within the Caney, two of which are dubbed “ductile” and three of which are dubbed “reservoir” rock types. The “ductile” versus “reservoir” identification is initially based on elastic properties ascertained from well logs. By comparing core-based mechanical tests, it is found nominally ductile and reservoir layers do not differ in terms of brittleness, but instead the nominally ductile layers tend to be weaker and more prone to creep deformation compared to the nominally more brittle reservoir layers. This difference in mechanical properties is shown to generate higher susceptibility to proppant embedment in the weaker and more creep-prone layers. Specifically, over a 5-year period, the creep is expected to have little impact on reservoir layers but is predicted to reduce propped fracture aperture by a factor of 2 in the ductile layers.

Benge, Margaret↗

Exposure time considerations in high temperature low cycle fatigue

The Conventional Strainrange Partitioning (CSRP) method for High-Temperature, Low-Cycle Fatigue (HTLCF) life prediction has its origins in the modeling of first-order, creep-fatigue waveform effects while treating as second-order effects, the influence of metallurgical or environmental time dependencies. Procedures are proposed to include the latter explicitly in the inelastic strainrange--life relations. For brevity, only the CP life relation will be presented in detail. The exposure-time effect within the CP inelastic strainrange (tensile creep reversed by compressive plasticity) was determined by tensile stresshold-time experiments for 316 SS at 816 C. Reductions in CP cyclic life of a factor of about two were observed with an increase in exposure time or a corresponding decrease in creep rate by a factor of about 100. The CP life relation has been modified to be expressed in terms of either Steady State Creep Rate (SSCR) or Exposure Time (ET). The applicability and accuracy of the time-dependent CP life relations is demonstrated by conducting verification experiments involving complex hysteresis loops. Metallographic examination revealed time-dependent degradation attributable to oxide formation and precipitation of carbides along grain boundaries.

Kalluri, S.↗

Exposure time considerations in high temperature low cycle fatigue

The Conventional Strainrange Partitioning (CSRP) method for High-Temperature, Low-Cycle Fatigue (HTLCF) life prediction has its origins in the modeling of first-order, creep-fatigue waveform effects while treating as second-order effects, the influence of metallurgical or environmental time dependencies. Procedures are proposed to include the latter explicitly in the inelastic strainrange-life relations. For brevity, only the CP life relation will be presented in detail. The exposure-time effect within the CP inelastic strainrange (tensile creep reversed by compressive plasticity) was determined by tensile stresshold-time experiments for 316 SS at 816 C. Reductions in CP cyclic life of a factor of about two were observed with an increase in exposure time or a corresponding decrease in creep rate by a factor of about 100. The CP life relation has been modified to be expressed in terms of either Steady State Creep Rate (SSCR) or Exposure Time (ET). The applicability and accuracy of the time-dependent CP life relations is demonstrated by conducting verification experiments involving complex hysteresis loops. Metallographic examination revealed time-dependent degradation attributable to oxide formation and precipitation of carbides along grain boundaries.

Kalluri, S.↗

Relationship between fatigue life in the creep-fatigue region and stress-strain response

On the basis of mechanical tests and metallographic studies, strainrange partitioned lives were predicted by introducing stress-strain materials parameters into the Universal Slopes Equation. This was the result of correlating fatigue damage mechanisms and deformation mechanisms operating at elevated temperatures on the basis of observed mechanical and microstructural behavior. Correlation between high temperature fatigue and stress strain properties for nickel base superalloys and stainless steel substantiated the method. Parameters which must be evaluated for PP- and CC- life are the maximum stress achievable under entirely plastic and creep conditions respectively and corresponding inelastic strains, and the elastic modulus. For plasticity/creep interaction conditions (PC and CP) two more pairs of stress strain parameters must be ascertained.

Berkovits, A.↗

Relationship between fatigue life in the creep-fatigue region and stress-strain response

On the basis of mechanical tests and metallographic studies, strainrange partitioned lives were predicted by introducing stress-strain materials parameters into the Universal Slopes Equation. This was the result of correlating fatigue damage mechanisms and deformation mechanisms operating at elevated temperatures on the basis of observed mechanical and microstructural behavior. Correlation between high temperature fatigue and stress strain properties for nickel base superalloys and stainless steel substantiated the method. Parameters which must be evaluated for PP- and CC- life are the maximum stress achievable under entirely plastic and creep conditions respectively and corresponding inelastic strains, and the two more pairs of stress strain parameters must be ascertained.

Berkovits, A.↗

Simulating the effect of grain structure and porosity on creep for powder bed fusion 316H

This report details results from modeling studies focused on identifying the potential factors influencing creep performance of 316H stainless steel manufactured using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), with a focus on experimentally-observed and predicted differences between the response of the AM material and conventionally manufactured wrought 316H. The studies presented here systematically look at the role of grain structure, porosity and texture in the anisotropic creep behavior of the material under conditions expected in high temperature advanced nuclear reactors. A physics-based Crystal Plasticity Finite Element modeling approach has allowed us to look at these factors in isolation and study their role in the material's long-term deformation behavior. An update to the precipitation model used in the constitutive framework for 316H is also presented here, with the aim of improving the accuracy of our results from this modeling effort. This work is a step in the direction of gaining mechanistic understanding of the long-term deformation behavior of LPBF 316H, helping us model its long term performance and reducing the qualification time for the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reliability and Creep/Fatigue Analysis of a CMC Component

High temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMC) are being explored as viable candidate materials for hot section gas turbine components. These advanced composites can potentially lead to reduced weight and enable higher operating temperatures requiring less cooling; thus leading to increased engine efficiencies. There is a need for convenient design tools that can accommodate various loading conditions and material data with their associated uncertainties to estimate the minimum predicted life as well as the failure probabilities of a structural component. This paper presents a review of the life prediction and probabilistic analyses performed for a CMC turbine stator vane. A computer code, NASALife, is used to predict the life of a 2-D woven silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiC/SiC) turbine stator vane due to a mission cycle which induces low cycle fatigue and creep. The output from this program includes damage from creep loading, damage due to cyclic loading and the combined damage due to the given loading cycle. Results indicate that the trends predicted by NASALife are as expected for the loading conditions used for this study. In addition, a combination of woven composite micromechanics, finite element structural analysis and Fast Probability Integration (FPI) techniques has been used to evaluate the maximum stress and its probabilistic distribution in a CMC turbine stator vane. Input variables causing scatter are identified and ranked based upon their sensitivity magnitude. Results indicate that reducing the scatter in proportional limit strength of the vane material has the greatest effect in improving the overall reliability of the CMC vane.

Murthy, Pappu L. N.↗

Cumulative creep-fatigue damage evolution in an austenitic stainless steel

A model of cumulative creep-fatigue damage has been developed which is based on the use of damage curve equations to describe the evolution of creep-fatigue damage for four basic creep-fatigue cycle types. These cycle types correspond to the four fundamental cycles of the Strain Range Partitioning Life Prediction approach of Manson, Halford, and Hirschberg. A concept referred to as Damage Coupling is introduced to analytically account for the differences in the nature of the damage introduced by each cycle type. For application of this model, the cumulative creep-fatigue damage behavior of type 316 stainless steel at 816 C has been experimentally established for the two-level loading cases involving fatigue and creep-fatigue, in various permutations. The tests were conducted such that the lower life (high strain) cycling was applied first, for a controlled number of cycles, and the higher life (lower strain) cycling was conducted at the second level, to failure. The proposed model correlated the majority of the observed cumulative creep-fatigue data.

Mcgaw, Michael A.↗

Porosity and the ecology of icy satellites

The case for a significant role for porosity in the structure and evolution of icy bodies in the Solar System has been difficult to establish. We present a relevant new data set and a series of structure models including a mechanical compression, not thermal creep, model for porosity that accounts satisfactorily for observed densities, moments of inertia, geologic activity, and sizes of tectonic features on icy satellites. Several types of observational data sets have been used to infer significant porosity, but until recently, alternative explanations have been preferred. Our first area of concern is the occurrence of cryovolcanism as a function of satellite radius; simple radiogenic heating models of icy satellites suggest minimum radii for melting and surface cryovolcanism to be 400 to 500 km, yet inferred melt deposits are seen on satellites half that size. One possible explanation is a deep, low conductivity regolith which lowers conductivity and raises internal temperatures, but other possibilities include tidal heating or crustal compositions of low conductivity. Our second area of concern is the occurrence and magnitude of tectonic strain; tectonic structures have been seen on icy satellites as small as Mimas and Proteus. The structures are almost exclusively extensional, with only a few possible compression Al features, and inferred global strains are on the order of 1 percent expansion. Expansions of this order in small bodies like Mimas and prevention of late compressional tectonics due to formation of ice mantles in larger bodies like Rhea are attained only in structure models including low-conductivity, and thus possibly high porosity, crusts. Thirdly, inferred moments of inertia less than 0.4 in Mimas and Tethys can be explained by high-porosity crusts, but also by differentiation of a high density core. Finally, the relatively low densities of smaller satellites like Mimas and Miranda relative to larger neighbors can be explained by deep porosity, but also by bulk compositional differences. Recent work has strengthened the case for significant porosity. Halley's nucleus was found to have a density near 0.6 g/cu cm, Janus and Epimethus were proposed to have densities near 0.7 g/cu cm, densities almost certainly due to high porosity. The irregular-spherical shape transition of icy satellites was quantitatively explained by low conductivity regoliths. A creative structure/thermal history model for Mimas simultaneously accounts quantitatively for Mimas' low density and moment of inertia by invoking initial high-porosity and subsequent compaction in the deep interior by thermal creep. The main problem with this promising model is that approximately 7 percent predicts a reduction in Mimas' radius, implying significant compressional failure and prevention of extensional tectonics, in contradiction to the observed extensional features and inferred 1 percent expansion in radius.

Croft, Steven K.↗

Structural Analyses of Stirling Power Convertor Heater Head for Long-Term Reliability, Durability, and Performance

Deep-space missions require onboard electric power systems with reliable design lifetimes of up to 10 yr and beyond. A high-efficiency Stirling radioisotope power system is a likely candidate for future deep-space missions and Mars rover applications. To ensure ample durability, the structurally critical heater head of the Stirling power convertor has undergone extensive computational analyses of operating temperatures (up to 650 C), stresses, and creep resistance of the thin-walled Inconel 718 bill of material. Durability predictions are presented in terms of the probability of survival. A benchmark structural testing program has commenced to support the analyses. This report presents the current status of durability assessments.

Halford, Gary R.↗

Machine Learning Augmented Predictive and Generative Model for Rupture Life in Ferritic and Austenitic Steels

The Larson-Miller parameter (LMP) offers an efficient and fast scheme to estimate the creep rupture life of alloy materials for high temperature applications. However, owing to poor generalizability and dependence on the constant C, which is typically not known a-priori, estimations using the Larson-Miller parameter often result in suboptimal performance for a wide range of materials. At best it is useful in comparing alloys of similar composition. In this work, three machine learning (ML) schemes were developed for rupture life prediction for 9-12% Cr ferritic-martensitic steels and austenitic stainless steels, i.e., a hierarchical model to parameterize LMP using the LMP constant C to compute rupture life, a hierarchical model to parameterize both C and LMP to compute rupture life, and a direct prediction of rupture life. Specifically, we show that the third scheme, using a gradient boosting algorithm, can be used to train ML models for very accurate prediction of rupture life in a variety of alloys (Pear-son Correlation Coefficient > 0.9 for 9-12% Cr and > 0.8 for austenitic stainless steels). In addition, the Shapley value was used to quantify feature importance, making the model interpretable by identifying the effect of various features on the model performance. Furthermore, a variational autoencoder-based generative model was built by conditioning on the experimental dataset to sample hypothetical synthetic candidate alloys from the learnt joint distribution not existing in both 9-12 % Cr ferritic-martensitic steel and austenitic stainless steel datasets. Finally, based on the predictive and generative model, a reinforcement learning strategy has been proposed to guide experimentalists into designing better heat resistant alloys.

Mamun, Md Osman G.↗

Ultra High Temperature (UHT) SiC Fiber (Phase 2)

Silicon-carbide fiber-reinforced silicon-carbide ceramic matrix composites (SiCSiC CMC) are emerginglightweight re-usable structural materials not only for hot section components in gas turbine engines, but also for controlsurfaces and leading edges of reusable hypersonic vehicles as well as for nuclear propulsion and reactor components. Ithas been shown that when these CMC are employed in engine hot-section components, the higher the upper usetemperature (UUT) of the SiC fiber, the more performance benefits are accrued, such as higher operating temperatures,reduced component cooling air, reduced fuel consumption, and reduced emissions. The first generation of SiCSiC CMC with a temperature capability of 2200-2400F are on the verge of being introduced into the hot-section components ofcommercial and military gas turbine engines.Today the SiC fiber type currently recognized as the worlds best in terms ofthermo-mechanical performance is the Sylramic-iBN fiber. This fiber was previously developed by the PI at NASA GRC using patented processes to improve the high-cost commercial Sylramic fiber, which in turn was derived from anotherlow-cost low-performance commercial fiber. Although the Sylramic-iBN fiber shows state-of-the art creep and rupture resistance for use temperatures above 2550oF, NASA has shown by fundamental creep studies and model developmentthat its microstructure and creep resistance could theoretically be significantly improved to produce an Ultra HighTemperature (UHT) SiC fiber.This Phase II Seedling Fund effort has been focused on the key objective of effectively repeating the similar processes used for producing the Sylramic-iBN fiber using a design of experiments approach to first understand the cause of the less than optimum Sylramic-iBN microstructure and then attempting to develop processconditions that eliminate or minimize these key microstructural issues. In so doing, it is predicted that that theseadvanced process could result in an UHT SiC fiber with 20 times more creep resistance than the Sylramic-iBN fiber,which in turn would allow SiCSiC CMC to operate up to 2700oF and above, thereby further enhancing the performancebenefits of SiCSiC components in aero-propulsion engines. It was also envisioned that the fiber processes developedduring Phase II efforts would not only reduce production costs for the UHT fiber by using low-cost precursor fibers andcombined processes, but also allow the UHT fibers to be directly produced in preforms of the precursor fibers, possibly atthe facilities of the CMC fabricator.

SiC Ceramic Fiber↗

High temperature fatigue behavior of Haynes 188

The high temperature, creep-fatigue behavior of Haynes 188 was investigated as an element in a broader thermomechanical fatigue life prediction model development program at the NASA-Lewis. The models are still in the development stage, but the data that were generated possess intrinsic value on their own. Results generated to date is reported. Data were generated to characterize isothermal low cycle fatigue resistance at temperatures of 316, 704, and 927 C with cyclic failure lives ranging from 10 to more than 20,000. These results follow trends that would be predicted from a knowledge of tensile properties, i.e., as the tensile ductility varies with temperature, so varies the cyclic inelastic straining capacity. Likewise, as the tensile strength decreases, so does the high cyclic fatigue resistance. A few two-minute hold-time cycles at peak compressive strain were included in tests at 760 C. These results were obtained in support of a redesign effort for the Orbital Maneuverable System engine. No detrimental effects on cyclic life were noted despite the added exposure time for creep and oxidation. Finally, a series of simulated thermal fatigue tests, referred to as bithermal fatigue tests, were conducted using 316 C as the minimum and 760 C as the maximum temperature. Only out-of-phase bithermal tests were conducted to date. These test results are intended for use as input to a more general thermomechanical fatigue life prediction model based on the concepts of the total strain version of Strainrange Partitioning.

Halford, Gary R.↗

Tensile Creep and Fatigue of Sylramic-iBN Melt-Infiltrated SiC Matrix Composites: Retained Properties, Damage Development, and Failure Mechanisms

An understanding of the elevated temperature tensile creep, fatigue, rupture, and retained properties of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) envisioned for use in gas turbine engine applications are essential for component design and life-prediction. In order to quantify the effect of stress, time, temperature, and oxidation for a state-of-the-art composite system, a wide variety of tensile creep, dwell fatigue, and cyclic fatigue experiments were performed in air at 1204 C for the SiC/SiC CMC system consisting of Sylramic-iBN SiC fibers, BN fiber interphase coating, and slurry-cast melt-infiltrated (MI) SiC-based matrix. Tests were either taken to failure or interrupted. Interrupted tests were then mechanically tested at room temperature to determine the residual properties. The retained properties of most of the composites subjected to tensile creep or fatigue were usually within 20% of the as-produced strength and 10% of the as-produced elastic modulus. It was observed that during creep, residual stresses in the composite are altered to some extent which results in an increased compressive stress in the matrix upon cooling and a subsequent increased stress required to form matrix cracks. Microscopy of polished sections and the fracture surfaces of specimens which failed during stressed-oxidation or after the room-temperature retained property test was performed on some of the specimens in order to quantify the nature and extent of damage accumulation that occurred during the test. It was discovered that the distribution of stress-dependent matrix cracking at 1204 C was similar to the as-produced composites at room temperature; however, matrix crack growth occurred over time and typically did not appear to propagate through thickness except at final failure crack. Failure of the composites was due to either oxidation-induced unbridged crack growth, which dominated the higher stress regime (> 179 MPa) or controlled by degradation of the fibers, probably caused by intrinsic creep-induced flaw growth of the fibers or internal attack of the fibers via Si diffusion through the CVI SiC and/or microcracks at the lower stress regime (< 165 MPa).

Morscher, Greg↗

Evaluation of inelastic constitutive models for nonlinear structural analysis

The influence of inelastic material models on computed stress-strain states, and therefore predicted lives, was studied for thermomechanically loaded structures. Nonlinear structural analyses were performed on a fatigue specimen which had been subjected to thermal cycling in fluidized beds and on a mechanically load cycled benchmark notch specimen. Four incremental plasticity creep models (isotropic, kinematic, combined isotropic kinematic, combined plus transient creep) were exercised using the MARC program. Of the plasticity models, kinematic hardening gave results most consistent with experimental observations. Life predictions using the computed strain histories at the critical location with a strainrange partitioning approach considerably overpredicted the crack initiation life of the thermal fatigue specimen.

Kaufman, A.↗

Data-driven methods for diffusivity prediction in nuclear fuels

The growth rate of structural defects in nuclear fuels under irradiation is intrinsically related to the diffusion rates of the defects in the fuel lattice. The generation and growth of atomistic structural defects can significantly alter the performance characteristics of the fuel. This alteration of functionality must be accurately captured to qualify a nuclear fuel for use in reactors. Predicting the diffusion coefficients of defects and how they impact macroscale properties such as swelling, gas release, and creep is therefore of significant importance in both the design of new nuclear fuels and the assessment of current fuel types. In this article, we apply data-driven methods focusing on machine learning (ML) to determine various diffusion properties of two nuclear fuels—uranium oxide and uranium nitride. We show that using ML can increase, often significantly, the accuracy of predicting diffusivity in nuclear fuels in comparison to current analytical models. We also illustrate how ML can be used to quickly develop fuel models with parameter dependencies that are more complex and robust than what is currently available in the literature. In conclusion, these results suggest there is potential for ML to accelerate the design, qualification, and implementation of nuclear fuels.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Massively Parallel Bayesian Model Calibration and Uncertainty Quantification with Applications to Nuclear Fuels and Materials

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program aims to develop predictive capabilities by applying computational methods to the analysis and design of advanced reactor and fuel cycle systems. This program has been providing engineering-scale support for the development of BISON, a high-fidelity and high-resolution fuel performance tool. Fuel behavior in a nuclear reactor is governed by a complex network of mechanisms interacting with various other physics aspects in the reactor system. Any model developed to represent the fuel behavior will likely be idealized resulting in uncertainties in their predictions compared to the observed data. As such, this report was motivated by the need to identify the sources of uncertainties and quantify and propagate them through the fuel model outputs. Such quantification of uncertainties will establish a level of model trustworthiness, identify approaches to improve the model trustworthiness, and even guide optimal experiment design for maximal information gain. To accomplish the uncertainty quantification for computational models, this report has relied on the Bayesian framework which provides probabilistic treatment of models their inputs and outputs. The current state-of-the-art on performing Bayesian Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) for nuclear engineering models using High Performance Computing (HPC) resources have been reviewed. Implementation of capabilities for massively parallel Bayesian UQ in Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) is discussed. Several verification cases are discussed to verify the accuracy of the quantified uncertainties using the developed computational capabilities in MOOSE. Then, the problem of quantifying the uncertainties in TRI-Structural isOtropic (TRISO) fuel silver release is addressed. For the first time, the uncertainties arising from the TRISO Fission Gas Release (FGR) model due to model inadequacy and experimental noise are quantified. Also, the Bayesian capabilities are applied to the calibration of the MATPRO creep model, a widely used model in several fuel assessment cases. The impact of the prediction uncertainties in the MATPRO model on the fuel cladding behavior as part of the TRIBULATION assessment case (which is an integral effects case) is investigated. This report concludes with a discussion on the future work for the UQ for computational models.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗