Phase decomposition and bubble evolution in Xe implanted U3Si2 at 450°C
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
We report on the microstructure investigations of a U3Si2 specimen implanted by 84 MeV Xe ions at 450°C. In the region that corresponds to the highest irradiation dose, U3Si2 was found to decompose into a Si-enriched nanocrystalline USi matrix phase and a U-enriched amorphous inclusion phase. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to help understand the decomposition mechanism. Xe bubbles of different morphologies were observed in USi nano-grains, on USi grain boundaries, and phase boundaries. Original U3Si2 micro-grains were preserved on both sides of the irradiation damage peak region within the sample, implying a radiation dose threshold for decomposition of approximately 150 dpa at 450°C. In the preserved U3Si2 region beneath the irradiation damage peak, where critical amount of Xe ions were deposited, a monomodal size distribution of intragranular Xe bubbles with an average size of 2.68 nm formed. In both decomposed and preserved U3Si2, the size of Xe bubbles was found to be lower than 50 nm. Based on this observation, the fission gas behavior of U3Si2 is controllable and free of run-away swelling despite the occurrence of decomposition at this irradiation temperature. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357; AC07-051D14517; FOA-0001063
- OSTI ID:
- 1530396
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1636089
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 518, Issue C; ISSN 0022-3115
- Publisher:
- ElsevierCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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