About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T26: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Additively Manufactured Materials for Nuclear Energy
|
| Presentation Title |
Stability of Additively Manufactured GRCop-42 for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion |
| Author(s) |
Elijah M. Davis, Hayden Sutton, Mst Sharmin Mostari, Miguel C. Almenara, Ricardo H.R. Castro, Arezoo Zare, Khalid Hattar |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Khalid Hattar |
| Abstract Scope |
Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) requires materials capable of maintaining stability in extreme thermal, radiation, and space environments. Additively manufactured GRCop alloys are promising candidates due to their high thermal conductivity, strength, and processing flexibility. However, their microstructural stability and irradiation response remain critical knowledge gaps. In this work, we examine the processing and irradiation stability of additively manufactured GRCop-42, with an emphasis on the microstructural evolution during sintering as well as its response post exposure to nuclear-relevant conditions. During sintering, an unexpected tentacle like morphology was observed, indicating complex mass transport behavior that may influence final structural performance. Room temperature irradiation results showed encouraging microstructural stability, supporting the potential of GRCop-42 for NTP applications. While these findings demonstrate promise for additive manufacturing as a pathway for advanced propulsion materials components, further work is needed to evaluate stability across broader temperatures, doses, and coupled service environments. |