Swelling and thermal diffusivity changes in neutron-irradiated ceramics

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5297556

Hurley, G F; Bunch, J M

Fifteen forms of ten oxide, nitride, or oxynitride materials were irradiated in EBR-II to 2.8 x 10/sup 21/ n/cm/sup 2/ (E/sub n/ > 0.1 MeV) at 1015/sup 0/K (740/sup 0/C). Of these materials, only those based on Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ or BeO showed volume swelling >0.5%. Ceramics based on MgAl/sub 2/O/sub 4/, Y/sub 3/Al/sub 5/O/sub 12/, Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/, sialon, and Si/sub 2/ON/sub 2/ exhibited 0 to 0.5 vol% swelling. Most of these materials underwent large thermal diffusivity reductions, of the order of 30 to 70%. Single-crystal spinel was notable in displaying almost no damage, as evidenced by lack of changes in volume or thermal conductivity, or defects visible by TEM.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 5297556
• Journal Information: Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 59:4; ISSN ACSBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
BARYONS
BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS
BERYLLIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
NEUTRONS
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NUCLEONS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PNICTIDES
RADIATION EFFECTS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON NITRIDES
SILICON OXIDES
SWELLING
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM OXIDES