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Structural properties of MgO and MgAl/sub 2/O/sub 4/ after fission neutron irradiation near room temperature

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6160349
Polycrystalline MgO and MgAl/sub 2/O/sub 4/ samples were irradiated at 430 +- 5 K in HFIR to a fast neutron fluence of 2.1 x 10/sup 26/ n/m/sup 2/, E > 0.2 MeV, and 4.6 x 10/sup 26/ thermal n/m/sup 2/. Following irradiation, swelling, microstructure and mechanical strength were evaluated relative to control samples. Both materials swelled substantially, 2.6-3.0% in the case of MgO, and 0.8% in the case of MgAl/sub 2/O/sub 4/. The substructure of the MgO was found to contain a dense array of dislocation loops while the spinel showed heavy but unresolved damage. Results of mechanical strength evaluation by diametral compression testing showed significant strengthening for both materials. This result, which has important implications for use of cubic technological ceramics, is discussed in terms of the observed fracture modes and microstructural damage.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (USA); Savannah River Ecology Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
6160349
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-81-2078; CONF-810831-6; ON: DE81028770
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English