Swift heavy ion irradiation of zirconium alloy: Deleterious effects on thermal and mechanical properties

S. Kong, R. Bai, Z. Hua, W. Wang, L. Liu, D. Yuan, H. Ban, H. Xia

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Zirconium alloy, used as cladding and structural material for reactor fuel assembly, will undergo harsh neutron irradiation environment. Swift heavy ion irradiation is one of the applicable methods to simulate typical neutron damage in Zr alloy. In present investigation, Zr alloy was irradiated at 300°C and 700°C by 80 MeV Ni9+ ions with two different doses of 4.35×1015 cm-2 and 8.7× 1015 cm-2, which correspond to peak values of 5 dpa and 10 dpa. Three complementary analysis techniques, nanoindentation, laser-based photothermal reflectance thermal conductivity measurement technique and TEM were used to study irradiation damage before and after implantation. Results show that ion implantation enhances the alloy hardness and with the fluence increases and temperature decreases, hardness increases accordingly. The deduction of thermal diffusivity was also found after irradiation. These results are expected to deepen our understanding of Zr alloy and provide effective data for material optimization.

Original languageEnglish
StatePublished - 2017
Event37th Annual Conference of the Canadian Nuclear Society and 41st Annual CNS/CNA Student Conference - Niagara Falls, Canada
Duration: Jun 4 2017Jun 7 2017

Conference

Conference37th Annual Conference of the Canadian Nuclear Society and 41st Annual CNS/CNA Student Conference
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityNiagara Falls
Period06/4/1706/7/17

Keywords

  • Ion irradiation
  • Nanoindentation
  • Photothermal reflectance technique
  • Zirconium alloy

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