The effect of thermomechanical processing on second phase particle redistribution in U-10 wt%Mo

Xiaohua Hu, Xiaowo Wang, Vineet V. Joshi, Curt A. Lavender

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The multi-pass hot-rolling process of an annealed uranium–10 wt% molybdenum (U10Mo) coupon was studied by plane-strain compression finite element modeling. As-cast U10Mo typically contains second phase particles such as uranium carbides (UC) and silicides along the grain boundaries. The volume fraction of UC is typically large, while the other phases can be redissolved in the matrix by certain heat treatments. The UC particle distribution is important due to its influence on the recrystallization processes (particle stimulated nucleation) that occur during annealing between rolling passes. Unfavorable particle distribution and fracture after rolling can affect the grain size and also influence the fuel performance in the reactor. A statistical method, i.e., the two-point correlation function (2PCF), was used to analyze the carbide particle distribution after each rolling reduction. The hot rolling simulation results show that the alignment of UC particles along grain boundaries will rotate during rolling until it is parallel to the rolling direction, to form stringer-like distributions which are typically observed in rolled products that contain inclusions. 2PCF analysis shows that the interparticle spacing shrinks along the normal direction (ND) and increases along the rolling direction (RD). The simulated particle distribution is very similar to that measured experimentally for similar rolling reductions. The magnitudes of major peaks of 2PCF along the ND decrease after large reduction. The locations of major peaks indicate the inter-stringer distances. Many more small peaks appear for the 2PCF along the RD, and this is related to the neighboring particles within stringers, which are along the RD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)270-279
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Nuclear Materials
Volume500
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Material Management and Minimization and performed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory under contract DE-AC05-76RL01830 . This work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Material Management and Minimization and performed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory under contract DE-AC05-76RL01830.

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration
National Nuclear Security Administration
Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryDE-AC05-76RL01830

    Keywords

    • Hot rolling
    • Interparticle spacing
    • Low-enriched uranium
    • Nuclear fuel
    • Particle distributions
    • Stringers
    • Two point correlation functions (2PCF)
    • U10Mo

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