Chapter 9 - Neutron Damage Effects Flashcards
How are point defects created in a nuclear system?
By irradiation of neutrons.
What is the rate of production of point defects per unit volume?
Q = nK/omega where n is the point defect survival efficiency, K is dpa/s, and omega is ?
How is K (dpa/s) defined?
K = sigmavflux where sigma is the cross-section, v is the
Where will low cycle fatigue (LCF) might come from in RPV?
fuel reloading
Name all 3 point defects loss mechanisms in the balance equations?
- Recombination
- Absorption at voids for vacancies
- Absorption at dislocations
Are dislocations a sink for interstitials or vacancies?
interstitials
Is the concentration of vacancies higher or lower relative to interstitials?
higher due to higher interstitial dislocation sink.
Why do we observe microstructural changes in reactor materials?
Because of long range diffusion and clustering of displacement damage (defects)
What type of defects cause microstructural change?
dislocation loops, stacking fault, tetrahedra, precipitates, bubbles, voids and solute segregation
What are the benefits of martensitic steel?
fine boundaries and precipitates make the steel highly irradiation and heat resistance
Is ferrite phase desired in irradiated materials? Why?
No, ferritic grains swell more than martensitic grains because of the bcc structure which have a smaller capture radius for vacancies.
At what dose does swelling star to appear in martensite and in ferrite?
Martensite at 200 dpa and Ferrite at 50 dpa
What morphologies can SIA clusters?
predominately only dislocation loop morphologies
What morphologies can vacancy clusters?
3-D Void, 2-D loop or more complicated stacking fault tetrahedra
What does SFT stand for?
stacking fault tetrahedra (SFT)