Embedded Sensors for Monitoring Additively Manufactured Nuclear Components

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Fiber-optic sensors can be used to measure distributed strain and temperature during AM to aid in the material qualification process and during nuclear operation of AM components. However, fiber strain sensing requires that fibers be properly bonded to the surrounding metal matrix. This work explored the use of UAM and LPBF AM processes for additively building material, housing the sensors, and building over the top of the sensor to effectively embed the sensor in the component. Optical microscopy of the embedded fibers showed acceptable bonding over the top of the sensor with little space between the fiber and channel walls. Moreover, fiber strain was recorded during controlled heating experiments at various temperatures using OFDR interrogation. The measured fiber strain agreed well with the expected thermal strain from the changes in thermal expansion between the smaller mass of the fiber and larger mass of the SS316 matrix. This work demonstrated the ability to embed sensors in metals with AM processes and to accurately record strain at relevant high temperatures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)496-499
Number of pages4
JournalTransactions of the American Nuclear Society
Volume127
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Event2022 Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting and Technology Expo, ANS 2022 - Phoenix, United States
Duration: Nov 13 2022Nov 17 2022

Funding

This work was supported by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, including the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Program and the Microreactor Program. 1This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).

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