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Novel use of a hand-held laser induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument to monitor hydride corrosion in uranium

Journal Article · · Spectrochimica Acta. Part B, Atomic Spectroscopy
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
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With a compact hand-held laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument, studies were performed on specimens of uranium charged with controlled hydrogen concentrations for a qualitative evaluation of hydride corrosion. Four samples of depleted uranium with two different starting microstructures (cast and rolled) were used for this study. The hydrogen charged samples (rolled 1.8 wppm H and cast 14 wppm H by weight) are representative of the pre-corrosion states with hydrides distributed throughout the bulk. In-depth LIBS measurements were carried out, after the thick surface corrosion layer was removed, by applying 100 laser pulses from sample surface into the bulk on five different sample locations. Three additional areas on each sample were investigated by laser ablation using a 12-point grid approach. The atomic emission signals of elemental uranium, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen were identified and analyzed. All four samples showed similar uranium and carbon concentrations, as expected. Hydrogen content was consistent with each sample's specification, such that the hydrogen charged samples exhibited higher hydrogen concentration than their references. Both specimens charged with hydrogen showed elevated oxygen content as well, due to rapid oxidation of uranium and uranium hydrides. The oxidation process was facilitated by the laser ablation and plasma plume's high temperature effects on the sample combined with the glovebox environment. The uranium surface damage produced by laser ablation was quantitatively evaluated by optical microscopy.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725; NA0001942
OSTI ID:
1546542
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2325513
OSTI ID: 1560526
Journal Information:
Spectrochimica Acta. Part B, Atomic Spectroscopy, Journal Name: Spectrochimica Acta. Part B, Atomic Spectroscopy Journal Issue: C Vol. 159; ISSN 0584-8547
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Figures / Tables (8)

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Table 1(p. 8)table Table 1
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Figure 6(p. 16)figure Figure 6
Table 2(p. 16)table Table 2

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Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
Hand-held LIBS
Hydride corrosion
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Surface damage
Uranium
hydrogen embrittlement