Abstract
Using a compact hand-held laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument, studies were conducted on specimens of uranium charged with controlled hydrogen concentrations for a qualitative evaluation of hydride corrosion. Four samples of depleted uranium with two different starting microstructures (cast and rolled) were used for this study. The hydrogen charged samples (rolled 1.8 wppm H and cast 14 wppm H by weight) are representative of the pre-corrosion states with hydrides distributed throughout the bulk. In-depth LIBS measurements were carried out, after the thick surface corrosion layer was removed, by applying 100 laser pulses from sample surface into the bulk on five different sample locations. Three additional areas on each sample were studied by laser ablation using a 12-point grid approach. The atomic emission signals of elemental uranium, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen were identified and analyzed. All four samples showed similar uranium and carbon concentrations, as expected. Hydrogen content was consistent with each sample's specification, such that the hydrogen charged samples exhibited higher hydrogen concentration than their references. Both specimens charged with hydrogen showed elevated oxygen content as well, due to rapid oxidation of uranium and uranium hydrides. The oxidation process was facilitated by the laser ablation and plasma plume's high temperature effects on the sample combined with the glovebox environment. The uranium surface damage produced by laser ablation was quantitatively evaluated by optical microscopy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 105651 |
| Journal | Spectrochimica Acta - Part B Atomic Spectroscopy |
| Volume | 159 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2019 |
Funding
This work of authorship and those incorporated herein were prepared by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) as accounts of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government under Contract DE-NA-0001942. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor CNS, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility to any non-governmental recipient hereof for the accuracy, completeness, use made, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency or contractor thereof, or by CNS. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency or contractor (other than the authors) thereof. This document has been authored by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, under Contract DE-NA-0001942 with the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration, or a subcontractor thereof. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the document for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a nonexclusive, paid up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this document, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. Funding for this research was provided by the CNS/Y-12 National Security Complex under the Plant Directed Research and Development program . Funding for this research was provided by the CNS/Y-12 National Security Complex under the Plant Directed Research and Development program.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| National Security Complex | |
| Plant Directed Research and Development | |
| Plant Directed Research and Development program | |
| United States Government | DE-NA-0001942 |
Keywords
- Hand-held LIBS
- Hydride corrosion
- Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
- Surface damage, hydrogen embrittlement
- Uranium