About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
|
Ceramics and Ceramic-based Composites for Nuclear Fission Applications
|
Presentation Title |
Thermodynamics of Complex Carbides for Nuclear Applications in Extreme Environments |
Author(s) |
Najeb M. Abdul-Jabbar, Erofili Kardoulaki, Shane Mann, Maria Kosmidou, Geronimo Robles, Joshua White |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Geronimo Robles |
Abstract Scope |
Nuclear systems operating in extreme environments require thermally resilient fuel forms for optimal power generation. Historically, ternary monocarbides of (U,Ta)C, (U,Nb)C, and (U,Zr)C have been explored, with the latter being extensively studied. Information on the related quaternary and quinary carbides remains sparse, yet there may be optimized fuels that can be discovered in this composition space that will be stable under thermal extremes. Identification of such fuels, however, requires knowledge of phase equilibria in their constituent systems to ensure phase stability at ultra-high temperatures. While the U-C-Zr system has been well-characterized, gaps remain in the U-C-Nb and U-C-Ta systems. This presentation will highlight experimental work to determine phase relationships in U-C-Nb and U-C-Ta to track the evolution of the monocarbide phase field at temperature up to 2200 °C. Result from this investigation will subsequently be incorporated into thermodynamic models to predict viable nuclear fuels in the U-C-Zr-Nb-Ta system. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, High-Temperature Materials, Ceramics |