About this Abstract |
Meeting |
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
Symposium
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Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
Presentation Title |
Transmission Electron Microscopy of the Uranium-22.5 Atom% Zirconium System Following Casting, Cold-working, and Annealing |
Author(s) |
Walter J. Williams, Maria A Okuniewski, Fidelma Di Lemma, Tiankai Yao |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Maria A Okuniewski |
Abstract Scope |
Transmission electron microscopy was performed on uranium-22.5atom% zirconium samples in as-cast, cold-worked, and post-annealed conditions. Samples were characterized through bright field, dark field, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). Phase morphology and bulk microstructure were measured throughout the material processing steps to quantify the evolution of the α-U and δ-UZr2¬ lamellar structure. The solubility of Zr in the α-U phase was measured, by semi-quantitative EDS, to be <15atom%. Additionally, EDS identified that the δ-UZr2 phase consists of ~66atom% Zr. Zirconium rich (U-80atom% Zr) inclusions were also identified through imaging and EDS. The crystal structure of each phase, including Zr inclusions, was identified with SAED. The SAED of the bulk microstructure indicates deformation-induced grain subdivision following cold-working, as well as recrystallization and growth during annealing. Zirconium inclusions were also observed to undergo a stress-induced phase transformation from a hexagonal to face-centered cubic crystal structure. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |