About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Accelerated Qualification Methods for Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials
|
| Presentation Title |
High-Throughput Methods for Analyzing Radiation Induced Swelling in Nuclear Structural Materials |
| Author(s) |
Aaron Gabriel S. Penders, Logan Clowers, Zhijie Jiao, Kevin Field, Mukesh Bachhav |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Aaron Gabriel S. Penders |
| Abstract Scope |
Volumetric swelling of nuclear materials arises from point defect formation and fission gas bubble migration under irradiation, leading to the degradation of reactor components. Current swelling characterization methods rely on single-point testing, which restricts the evaluation of swelling under varying helium injection rates and temperature conditions. This study employs an integrated approach using shuttered dual-ion irradiations, micropillars, and machine learning algorithms for post-irradiation electron microscopy. The shuttered helium-ion irradiation creates a spatial swelling gradient, allowing pre-trenched micropillars to swell at different rates. Machine learning aids in characterizing cavity microstructures and validating the micropillar method with high statistical confidence. Additionally, PI-88 nanoindentation testing probes microhardness along the irradiation gradient. Characterization techniques include scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused-ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), focusing on 304 stainless steel, HT-9, and HT-9 (Y2O3) alloys. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the understanding of swelling behavior in advanced nuclear materials. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Characterization, Nuclear Materials, |