Effects of high thermal and high fast fluences on the mechanical properties of type 6061 aluminum in the HFBR

Conference · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6002401

Weeks, J R; Czajkowski, C J; Tichler, P R

The High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is an epithermal, externally moderated (by D/sub 2/O) facility designed to produce neutron beams for research. Type 6061 T-6 aluminum was used for the beam tubes, pressure vessel, fuel cladding, and most other components in the high flux area. The HFBR has operated since 1965. The epithermal, external moderation of the HFBR means that materials irradiated in different areas of the facility receive widely different flux spectra. Thus, specimens from a control rod drive follower tube (CRDF) have received 1.5 /times/ 10/sup 22/ n/cm/sup 2/ (E > 0.1 MeV) and 3.2 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ thermal fluence, while those from a vertical thimble flow shroud received 1.9 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ (E > 0.1 MeV) and 1.0 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ thermal. These numbers correspond to fast to thermal fluence ratios ranging from 0.05 to 1.9. Irradiations are occurring at approximately 333/degree/K. The data indicate that the increase in tensile strength and decrease in ductility result primarily from the thermal fluence, i.e., the transmutation of aluminum to silicon. These effects appear to be saturating at fluences above approximately 1.8 /times/ 10/sup 23/ n/cm/sup 2/ thermal at values of 90,000 psi (6700 Kg/mm/sup 2/) and 9%, respectively. The specimens receiving the highest fluence ratios appear to have less increase in tensile strength and less decrease in ductility than specimens with a lower fast to thermal fluence ratio and the same thermal fluence, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of the high energy neutrons in preventing formation of silicon crystallites. 7 refs., 11 figs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6002401
• Report Number(s): BNL-42692; CONF-880613-32; ON: DE89012636
• Resource Relation: Conference: 14. international symposium on effects of radiation on materials, Andover, MA, USA, 27 Jun 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
ALUMINIUM BASE ALLOYS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
HFBR REACTOR
DUCTILITY
ELONGATION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NEUTRON FLUENCE
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
HEAVY WATER COOLED REACTORS
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
RESEARCH REACTORS
TANK TYPE REACTORS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL REACTORS
360106* - Metals & Alloys- Radiation Effects
210400 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Otherwise Moderated or Unmoderated