3-D reconstruction and microstructural characterization of neutron-irradiated U-10Zr fuel using FIB-SEM serial sectioning
Abstract
Herein, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy serial sectioning was applied to characterize the three-dimensional (3-D) porosity and phase regions of a neutron-irradiated U-10 wt% Zr fuel. The specimen was removed from an intermediate radial region of a fuel pin irradiated to 5.7 at.% burn-up. Backscattered electron imaging and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were performed on each serial section, allowing for the characterization of microstructural morphology and composition. Porosity size followed a lognormal distribution, ranging from 1.46 × 10–4 to 25.58 µm3 with a total porosity volume fraction of 13.02%. Distinctive microstructural regions were identified by composition and porosity: (1) a Zr-rich region with an average composition of 28.4 wt% Zr and a local porosity fraction of 6.88%, and (2) a U-rich region with an average composition of 97.0 wt% U and a local porosity fraction of 14.11%; subdivided into U-rich—high porosity (16.68%) and U-rich—low porosity (8.04%) regions. The detailed 3-D compositional and porosity regions can improve nuclear fuel performance codes.
- Authors:
-
[3];
[1]
- Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); US Department of State; Dominican Republic Education Ministry
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1958616
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-23-71232-Rev000
Journal ID: ISSN 2059-8521; TRN: US2312734
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517; GNT-20212273
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- MRS Advances
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 8; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2059-8521
- Publisher:
- Springer Nature
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; FIB
Citation Formats
Rodríguez Pérez, Nicole, Thomas, Jonova, Murray, Daniel, and Okuniewski, Maria A. 3-D reconstruction and microstructural characterization of neutron-irradiated U-10Zr fuel using FIB-SEM serial sectioning. United States: N. p., 2023.
Web. doi:10.1557/s43580-022-00464-3.
Rodríguez Pérez, Nicole, Thomas, Jonova, Murray, Daniel, & Okuniewski, Maria A. 3-D reconstruction and microstructural characterization of neutron-irradiated U-10Zr fuel using FIB-SEM serial sectioning. United States. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-022-00464-3
Rodríguez Pérez, Nicole, Thomas, Jonova, Murray, Daniel, and Okuniewski, Maria A. Tue .
"3-D reconstruction and microstructural characterization of neutron-irradiated U-10Zr fuel using FIB-SEM serial sectioning". United States. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-022-00464-3. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1958616.
@article{osti_1958616,
title = {3-D reconstruction and microstructural characterization of neutron-irradiated U-10Zr fuel using FIB-SEM serial sectioning},
author = {Rodríguez Pérez, Nicole and Thomas, Jonova and Murray, Daniel and Okuniewski, Maria A.},
abstractNote = {Herein, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy serial sectioning was applied to characterize the three-dimensional (3-D) porosity and phase regions of a neutron-irradiated U-10 wt% Zr fuel. The specimen was removed from an intermediate radial region of a fuel pin irradiated to 5.7 at.% burn-up. Backscattered electron imaging and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were performed on each serial section, allowing for the characterization of microstructural morphology and composition. Porosity size followed a lognormal distribution, ranging from 1.46 × 10–4 to 25.58 µm3 with a total porosity volume fraction of 13.02%. Distinctive microstructural regions were identified by composition and porosity: (1) a Zr-rich region with an average composition of 28.4 wt% Zr and a local porosity fraction of 6.88%, and (2) a U-rich region with an average composition of 97.0 wt% U and a local porosity fraction of 14.11%; subdivided into U-rich—high porosity (16.68%) and U-rich—low porosity (8.04%) regions. The detailed 3-D compositional and porosity regions can improve nuclear fuel performance codes.},
doi = {10.1557/s43580-022-00464-3},
journal = {MRS Advances},
number = 1,
volume = 8,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2023},
month = {Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2023}
}
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