Raman spectroscopy of neutron irradiated silicon carbide: Correlation among Raman spectra, swelling, and irradiation temperature
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Abstract The effects of neutron irradiation on microstructural evolution and the resultant changes in physical and mechanical properties are of critical importance for the development of silicon carbide (SiC) materials for nuclear applications. This study neutron‐irradiated β‐SiC under a wide range of conditions at temperatures between 235 and 750°C and neutron doses of 0.01–11.8 displacements per atom, and then evaluated the effects on the SiC structure using Raman spectroscopy. The SiC optical phonon lines were shifted to lower wavenumbers by irradiation. Correlations were found among the wavenumber of the longitudinal optical phonon line, irradiation‐induced swelling, and irradiation temperature. The peak shift also correlated indirectly with decreasing thermal conductivity of irradiated SiC. The irradiation‐induced peak shift is explained by combinations of lattice strain, reduction of the elastic modulus, and other factors including decreasing coherent domain size. These findings bridge irradiation‐induced microstructural changes and property changes and illustrate how Raman spectroscopy is a useful tool for nondestructively assessing irradiated SiC materials for nuclear applications.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1459305
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1458577
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, Vol. 49, Issue 10; ISSN 0377-0486
- Publisher:
- WileyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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