About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Developments in Advanced Nuclear Structural Materials
|
| Presentation Title |
Post-HIP Heat Treatment Effects on AA6061 Cladding Interface Microstructure |
| Author(s) |
Shayndel Pido, Jason Schulthess, Yongho Sohn |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Shayndel Pido |
| Abstract Scope |
The structural integrity of hot isostatically pressed (HIP) AA6061 cladding is critical for the development of low-enriched U-10Mo monolithic fuel systems for research and test reactors. However, microstructural evolution, particularly the excessive formation Mg2Si precipitates during post-HIP cooling, can degrade mechanical properties and promote cracking. In this study, AA6061 plate samples fabricated under varying HIP parameters, which yielded different precipitate levels at the HIP interface, were subjected to a post-HIP heat treatment at 560 °C for 90 minutes, followed by furnace, air, or water cooling. Quantitative microstructural analysis demonstrated that cooling rate significantly influenced precipitate formation, with water quenching effectively suppressing precipitate development regardless of the initial HIP condition. These findings suggest that a post-HIP heat treatment can control the precipitate formation and ensure consistent bond integrity at the AA6061 interface, thereby enhancing the reliability of the fuel system. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Joining, Phase Transformations |