| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Meeting Materials Challenges for the Future of Fusion Energy
|
| Presentation Title |
Phase Field Fracture Modeling to Investigate the Integrity of Lithium Aluminate Pellets Used for Tritium Breeding |
| Author(s) |
Kranthi Balusu, Andrew Casella, Ayoub Soulami |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Kranthi Balusu |
| Abstract Scope |
Tritium, the principal fuel for future fusion reactors, might rely on lithium aluminate (LiAlO₂) for breeding. Although these ceramic breeding pellets are already deployed in fission reactors, their integrity under more severe conditions must be determined to safely maximize tritium yield. In the reactor, defect-containing pellets undergo extensive microstructural changes. Therefore, a model to predict microstructure-informed fracture is required.
In this study, we develop a modeling strategy using the phase field method for fracture within MOOSE software’s finite element framework. The strategy involves three steps: microstructure generation, model parameter determination, and prediction validation. Random microstructures for a representative volume element were based on characterization data of pellets before and after reactor deployment. Numerical model parameters were determined through convergence testing, and material parameters were calibrated using compressive tests on pre-irradiated pellets of different porosities and grain sizes. The simulation capability was validated with compressive strength tests on post-irradiated pellets. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Ceramics, Mechanical Properties, Modeling and Simulation |