High-energy synchrotron x-ray techniques for studying irradiated materials
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Xuan Zhang Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA
Hemant Sharma and Peter Kenesei Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA
David Hoelzer Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
Meimei Li Nuclear Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA
Jonathan Almera) Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA (Received 23 October 2014; accepted 23 January 2015)
High performance materials that can withstand radiation, heat, multiaxial stresses, and corrosive environment are necessary for the deployment of advanced nuclear energy systems. Nondestructive in situ experimental techniques utilizing high energy x-rays from synchrotron sources can be an attractive set of tools for engineers and scientists to investigate the structure–processing–property relationship systematically at smaller length scales and help build better material models. In this study, two unique and interconnected experimental techniques, namely, simultaneous small-angle/ wide-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) and far-field high-energy diffraction microscopy (FF-HEDM) are presented. The changes in material state as Fe-based alloys are heated to high temperatures or subject to irradiation are examined using these techniques.
I. INTRODUCTION
The deployment of advanced nuclear energy systems depends critically on the development of advanced high performance materials that can tolerate extreme environments of intense radiation fields, high temperature, stress, and corrosion. Life extension of existing nuclear power plants relies on understanding irradiation-induced material degradation after long-term service. Designing radiation, heat, and corrosion-resistant materials and predicting the response of materials in extreme nuclear environments are two grand challenges for future growth of nuclear energy. Irradiation generates a large population of point defects and their complexes in a crystalline solid. Further evolution of these defects leads to formation of extended defect structures, such as dislocation loops, stacking fault tetrahedra, voids, and helium bubbles. In certain cases, irradiation can also introduce second-phase precipitation and phase transformations in the parent (matrix) phase. The formation of a given type of defect structure is Contributing Editor: Djamel Kaoumi a) Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected] DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2015.50 J. Mater. Res., 2015
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dependent on material chemistry, microstructure, irradiation temperature, dose, and dose rate. Uniformly distributed dislocation loops are typically formed at low doses and low temperatures (T , 0.3Tm, where Tm is the melting point).1 Heterogeneous dislocation loop structures and dislocation networks are observed at intermediate and high doses.2 Significant void and helium bubble formation
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