Evaluation of statistical variation of microstructural properties and temperature effects on creep fracture of Grade 91
This report describes three improvements made to a physically-based model for creep and creep rupture in Grade 91 steel developed as part of the Advanced Reactor Technologies program: 1. Progress on transitioning the model framework to the MOOSE finite element package to improve parallel scalability, increase the physical size of the simulations, and incorporate multiphysics effects into the model. 2. The development of a physically-based method of scaling the model parameters to accurately capture creep in Grade 91 for temperatures in the range of 450° to 500° C. 3. Extending the model to account for microstructural statistical variations, specifically capturing the effect of grain boundary energy on the physical parameters underling the model for grain boundary void nucleation and cavitation. Put together, these improvements result in an accurate, predictive model for the physical response of Grade 91 steel over the expected use temperature range for the material in future liquid metal cooled fast reactors. The model can be used to more accurately predict engineering properties of the material for very long service lives, which could lead to safer, more economical future advanced reactors.