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Title: Spallation radiation effects in materials

Abstract

Spallation refers to the process whereby particles (chiefly neutrons) are ejected from nuclei upon bombardment by high-energy protons. Spallation neutron sources (SNS`s) use these neutrons for neutron scattering and diffraction research, and SNS`s are proposed as the basis for systems for tritium production and transmutation of nuclear waste. Materials in SNS`s are exposed to the incident proton beam (energies typically about 1000 MeV) and to the spallation neutrons (spectrum of energies extending up to about 1000 MeV). By contrast the fission neutrons in nuclear reactors have an average energy of only about 2 MeV, and the neutrons in fusion reactors would have energies below about 14 MeV. Furthermore, the protons and neutrons in SNS`s for scattering and diffraction research are pulsed at frequencies of about 10 to 60 Hz, from which significant changes in the kinetics of point and extended defects may be expected. In addition, much higher transmutation rates occur in SNS-irradiated materials, On the whole, then, significant differences in microstructural development and macroscopic properties may result upon exposure in SNS systems, as compared with fission and fusion irradiations. In a more general sense, subjecting materials to new radiation environments has almost routinely led to new discoveries. To themore » extent that data are avaiable, however, the spallation environment appears to increase the degree of damage without introducing totally new effects. The first part of this presentation is an overview of radiation effects in materials, outlining essential concepts and property changes and their physical bases. This background is followed by a description of SNS irradiation environments and the effects on materials of exposure to these environments. A special discussion is given of the selection of target (e.g., liquid mercury), container (e.g., austenitic stainless steel or ferritic/martensitic steel), and structural materials in SNS systems.« less

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
381049
Report Number(s):
CONF-9603171-
ON: DE96014047; TRN: 96:005200-0012
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-96OR22464
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: International workshop on the technology and thermo hydrolics of heavy liquid metals (Hg,Pb,Bi, and their Eutectics), Schruns (Austria), 25-28 Mar 1996; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the international workshop on the technology and thermal hydraulics of heavy liquid metals (Hg, Pb, Bi, and their eutectics); Appleton, B.R.; Bauer, G.S. [comp.]; PB: 500 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; FERRITIC STEELS; PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS; MARTENSITIC STEELS; AUSTENITIC STEELS; MECHANICAL STRUCTURES; LIQUID METALS; ION BEAM TARGETS; PROTON REACTIONS; NEUTRON SOURCE FACILITIES

Citation Formats

Mansur, L K, Farrell, K, and Wechsler, M S. Spallation radiation effects in materials. United States: N. p., 1996. Web.
Mansur, L K, Farrell, K, & Wechsler, M S. Spallation radiation effects in materials. United States.
Mansur, L K, Farrell, K, and Wechsler, M S. 1996. "Spallation radiation effects in materials". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/381049.
@article{osti_381049,
title = {Spallation radiation effects in materials},
author = {Mansur, L K and Farrell, K and Wechsler, M S},
abstractNote = {Spallation refers to the process whereby particles (chiefly neutrons) are ejected from nuclei upon bombardment by high-energy protons. Spallation neutron sources (SNS`s) use these neutrons for neutron scattering and diffraction research, and SNS`s are proposed as the basis for systems for tritium production and transmutation of nuclear waste. Materials in SNS`s are exposed to the incident proton beam (energies typically about 1000 MeV) and to the spallation neutrons (spectrum of energies extending up to about 1000 MeV). By contrast the fission neutrons in nuclear reactors have an average energy of only about 2 MeV, and the neutrons in fusion reactors would have energies below about 14 MeV. Furthermore, the protons and neutrons in SNS`s for scattering and diffraction research are pulsed at frequencies of about 10 to 60 Hz, from which significant changes in the kinetics of point and extended defects may be expected. In addition, much higher transmutation rates occur in SNS-irradiated materials, On the whole, then, significant differences in microstructural development and macroscopic properties may result upon exposure in SNS systems, as compared with fission and fusion irradiations. In a more general sense, subjecting materials to new radiation environments has almost routinely led to new discoveries. To the extent that data are avaiable, however, the spallation environment appears to increase the degree of damage without introducing totally new effects. The first part of this presentation is an overview of radiation effects in materials, outlining essential concepts and property changes and their physical bases. This background is followed by a description of SNS irradiation environments and the effects on materials of exposure to these environments. A special discussion is given of the selection of target (e.g., liquid mercury), container (e.g., austenitic stainless steel or ferritic/martensitic steel), and structural materials in SNS systems.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/381049}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996},
month = {Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996}
}

Conference:
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