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Surface effects on tritium diffusion in materials in a radiation environment

Conference ·
OSTI ID:4161215
Tritium transport and distribution in a material are controlled by chemical potential and thermal gradients and cross-coupling to impurities and defects. Surfaces influence tritium diffusion by acting as sources and sinks for defects and impurities, and surface films restricting tritium transfer between the solid and surrounding fluids. Radiation directly affects boundary processes such as dissociation or adsorption, may erode a surface film or the surface itself, and introduces defects and impurities into the solid by radiation damage, transmutation, or ion implantation, thereby modifying tritium transport within the solid and its transfer across external interfaces. There have been no definitive investigations of these effects, but their practical significance has been demonstrated in tritium release or absorption studies with stainless steel, Zircaloy, niobium, and other materials. (auth)
Research Organization:
Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, S.C. (USA). Savannah River Lab.
NSA Number:
NSA-33-001324
OSTI ID:
4161215
Report Number(s):
DP-MS--75-55; CONF-750806--4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English