| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Accelerated Qualification of Nuclear Materials Integrating Experiments, Modeling, and Theories
|
| Presentation Title |
Understanding Nuclear Graphite’s Changes Upon Irradiation Across Microscopy to Mesoscopic Length Scales |
| Author(s) |
David Sprouster, Sean Fayfar, Boris Khaykovich |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Sean Fayfar |
| Abstract Scope |
Nuclear graphite is an integral component in designs of new advanced nuclear reactors due to excellent thermal and mechanical properties. These reactors require materials with well characterized effects upon irradiation for use over long periods of time. Nuclear graphite, composed of a polygranular mixture, does have significant irradiation-induced changes in the thermophysical and mechanical properties that limit its service lifetime. The effects on the microstructure at various length scales need to be understood. Here, we present the results using X-ray diffraction measurements of neutron-irradiated G3470 graphite samples after exposure to a wide temperature-dose regime. We show evidence of radiation-induced structural degradation and significant changes in the atomic and microstructure that result in changes in thermophysical properties. By quantifying the changes in the microstructure, we aim to better understand the radiation response of graphite for the development of future mechanistic models of the material’s performance. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, |