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Title: Investigation of the Use of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1347705· OSTI ID:1347705
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States)
  2. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
  3. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

The objective of this project, which includes close collaboration with scientists from INL and ANL, is to investigate and demonstrate the use of advanced mechanical surface treatments like laser shock peening (LSP) and ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) and establish baseline parameters for enhancing the fatigue properties and SCC resistance of nuclear materials like nickel-based alloy 600 and 304 stainless steel. The research program includes the following key elements/tasks: 1) Procurement of Alloy 600 and 304 SS, heat treatment studies; 2) LSP and UNSM processing of base metal and welds/HAZ of alloys 600 and 304; (3) measurement and mapping of surface and sub-surface residual strains/stresses and microstructural changes as a function of process parameters using novel methods; (4) determination of thermal relaxation of residual stresses (macro and micro) and microstructure evolution with time at high temperatures typical of service conditions and modeling of the kinetics of relaxation; (5) evaluation of the effects of residual stress, near surface microstructure and temperature on SCC and fatigue resistance and associated microstructural mechanisms; and (6) studies of the effects of bulk and surface grain boundary engineering on improvements in the SCC resistance and associated microstructural and cracking mechanisms

Research Organization:
Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
Contributing Organization:
Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-05ID14517
OSTI ID:
1347705
Report Number(s):
10-682; 10-682
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English