About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Radiation Effects in Solid-State Materials: An SMD Symposium Honoring William J Weber
|
| Presentation Title |
Ion-Beam Emulation of Neutron Irradiation Effects in Lithium Aluminate Ceramics |
| Author(s) |
Weilin Jiang, Andrew M. Casella, David J. Senor |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Weilin Jiang |
| Abstract Scope |
Lithium-based ceramics are key materials for tritium breeding in fusion reactors and tritium production in light water reactors. While γ-LiAlO2 has been used in Tritium-Producing Burnable Absorber Rod (TPBAR) assemblies, LiAl5O8 has emerged as a promising alternative owing to its superior radiation tolerance and tritium retention characteristics. This presentation summarizes the microstructural evolution, deuterium (a tritium surrogate) retention, volumetric swelling, and thermal conductivity degradation of γ-LiAlO2 and LiAl5O8 pellets subjected to sequential He+ and D+ ion irradiation at elevated temperatures. Irradiated γ-LiAlO2 exhibited gas-filled cavities, non-stoichiometric LiAl5O8 precipitates, dose-rate-dependent lithium depletion, and amorphization. In contrast, LiAl5O8 developed primarily platelet-shaped cavities aligned along {111} planes, with no significant lithium loss or amorphization, demonstrating enhanced structural stability. Volumetric swelling and thermal conductivity degradation are correlated with irradiation-induced defect accumulation and microstructural evolution. Comparisons between ion- and neutron-irradiation responses, together with insights into the underlying mechanisms, will be presented. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Ceramics, Nuclear Materials, Other |