About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Metallic Fuels - Design, Fabrication, and Characterization
|
| Presentation Title |
Thermodynamic and Kinetic Pathways of Impurity-Induced Degradation in U-Ti-Nb-Mo-C Alloys |
| Author(s) |
Adrian Gonzales, Bradley Childs, Jibril Shittu, Nicholas Ury, Emily Moore |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Adrian Gonzales |
| Abstract Scope |
An inherent need exists to understand degradation mechanisms presented by impurities in uranium alloys. Insight into underlying thermodynamics and kinetics of deleterious precipitate phases within the U-Ti-Nb-C-X system is key to informing material properties. A comprehensive understanding of driving forces for carbide formation, distribution, and migration is lacking. Diffusion couple experiments offer a robust pathway to interrogate elemental mobility, interphase reactions, and microstructural evolution across composition gradients. These studies enable extraction of diffusion coefficients, assessment of phase stability, and detection of phenomena such as the Kirkendall effect, which collectively inform kinetic modeling strategies. When paired with CALPHAD-based predictions, this approach enhances understanding of thermodynamic driving forces and phase behavior, even in complex multicomponent systems. We present results combining experimental diffusion data with thermodynamic modeling to elucidate governing mechanisms of impurity-driven degradation in uranium alloy systems.
Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344 and supported by LLNL-LDRD program under Project No. 24-ERD-028. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, |