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Grain boundary character dependence of radiation-induced segregation in a model Ni–Cr alloy

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Abstract

Ni-based fcc alloys are frequently used as critical structural materials in nuclear energy applications. Despite extensive studies, fundamental questions remain regarding point defect migration and solute segregation as a function of grain boundary character after irradiation. In this study, a coupled experimental and modeling approach is used to understand the response of grain boundary character in a model Ni–5Cr alloy after high temperature heavy-ion irradiation. Radiation-induced segregation and void denuded zones were experimentally examined as a function of grain boundary character, while a kinetic rate theory model with grain boundary character boundary conditions was used to theoretically model Cr depletion in the alloy system. The results highlight major variations in the radiation response between the coherent and incoherent twin grain boundaries, but show limited disparity in defect sink strength between random low- and high-angle grain boundary regimes.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors C.M.B., J.N., L.B., I.S., D.M., and M.L.T. gratefully acknowledge funding from the National Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research, Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN) program, Grant No. 1105681. C.M.B. and M.L.T. thank Carpenter Technology, Reading, PA for supplying the Ni–Cr alloy used in this project. M.L.T. and J.N. also gratefully acknowledge funding in part from the United States Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences under the Early Career program through contract DE-SC0008274. STEM-EDS measurements were supported through a user project supported by ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is sponsored by the Scientific User Facilities Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy. K.H. acknowledges support from the DOE Basic Energy Sciences. Sandia National Laboratories is a multiprogram laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA

    Christopher M. Barr, James E. Nathaniel & Mitra L. Taheri

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

    Leland Barnard, Izabela Szlurfarska & Dane Morgan

  3. Radiation Solid-Interactions Group, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87185, USA

    Khalid Hattar

  4. Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37831, USA

    Kinga A. Unocic

  5. Materials Science Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

    Izabela Szlurfarska & Dane Morgan

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  1. Christopher M. Barr
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Correspondence to Mitra L. Taheri.

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This author was an editor of this focus issue during the review and decision stage. For the JMR policy on review and publication of manuscripts authored by editors, please refer to http://www.mrs.org/jmr-editor-manuscripts/.

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Barr, C.M., Barnard, L., Nathaniel, J.E. et al. Grain boundary character dependence of radiation-induced segregation in a model Ni–Cr alloy. Journal of Materials Research 30, 1290–1299 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2015.34

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