About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Transmutation Effects in Materials in Fission, Fusion, and Spallation Environments
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| Presentation Title |
Influence of Neutron Spectrum on Transmutation Product Evolution in Tungsten Alloys Revealed by Multimodal Synchrotron Characterization |
| Author(s) |
David Sprouster, Takaaki Koyanagi, Mingxi Ouyang, Weicheng Zhong, A Hasegawa, Yutai Katoh, Lance Snead |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
David Sprouster |
| Abstract Scope |
Tungsten is the leading plasma-facing material for future fusion reactors, yet neutron-induced transmutation to Re and Os fundamentally alters its microstructure and mechanical performance. Understanding how neutron energy spectrum influences these processes is essential for predicting material behavior in fusion environments. This presentation combines neutron irradiation experiments with multimodal synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, high-energy X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy to quantify the evolution of transmutation products in pure and alloyed tungsten. Mixed-spectrum irradiations reveal irradiation-temperature-dependent formation of χ-phase and HCP Re/Os environments together with alloy-specific lattice evolution and defect accumulation. New results from neutron-shielded irradiations demonstrate how reducing the thermal neutron component suppresses transmutation while modifying irradiation-induced defect evolution, providing insight into fusion-relevant damage pathways. These measurements establish direct relationships between neutron spectrum, transmutation chemistry, and microstructural evolution, providing experimental validation for irradiation models and guiding the development of radiation-tolerant tungsten alloys for future fusion devices and high-power spallation targets. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Characterization, Phase Transformations |