About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
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Ceramics and Ceramic-based Composites for Nuclear Fission Applications
|
Presentation Title |
Reduced Processing Temperature of Advanced Ceramic Composites |
Author(s) |
David Sprouster, B Cheng, D Bhardwaj, W Cunningham, S Ghose, Lance L Snead, J Trelewicz |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
David Sprouster |
Abstract Scope |
We provide compelling evidence of a surface-enhanced, Li-mediated densification mechanism in minor LiF-salt containing MgO. The addition of LiF leads to a >350 °C reduction in the sintering temperature and over 99% theoretical density of final consolidated compacts. Correlating differential scanning calorimetry with in-situ x-ray diffraction, together with ex situ transmission electron microscopy we uncover fundamental atomic insights into this impressive reduction in sintering temperature. Quantitative XRD analysis reveals that MgO and LiF interact at low temperatures with the diffusion of Li into the surface of MgO particles due to the intrinsic structural disorder of the small LiF and MgO crystallites. Our multimodal characterization results collectively point to a transient Li-promoted surface phase densification and sintering mechanism. This impressive reduction in temperature enables the effective low-temperature fabrication of entrained composites within a dense host matrix, with applications in the advanced manufacture of critical components for fission reactors. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
Keywords |
Characterization, Ceramics, Composites |