GOALI: Optimization of Zircaloy Intermetallics through Chemistry and Processing Controls

这项GOALI资助资助一名工程专业学生为期一年的工业研究，研究合金化学和工艺因素对影响锆合金（锆合金）性能和性能的特定金属间相的影响。金属间化合物的结构会发生变化，从而影响其机械性能和耐腐蚀性。在材料加工过程中，合金的组织包括相形核、生长和重组，这些变化受合金元素浓度的强烈影响。变量包括-淬火温度和淬火速率，-淬火后的冷加工和退火，以及随后的冷加工/退火循环，以控制最终析出物的形态。该研究检查了腐蚀（球状和均匀）、微观结构（特别注意金属间化合物）、机械性能和可制造性，并使用自动球压痕进行评估。锆合金板材材料用于模拟管道，便于制造和测试。这项研究是与通用电气公司位于北卡罗来纳州威尔明顿的锆合金制造中心和加利福尼亚州的瓦莱西托斯核中心合作进行的。锆合金广泛应用于裂变反应堆中，用作包覆核燃料的薄壁管、中间栅格、通道管（BWRs）和管状管（PHWRs）。该研究计划允许学生现场学习与该合金应用相关的冶金因素。＊＊＊

9632043 Murty This GOALI grant supports an engineering student for a one year period in industry to investigate the effects of alloy chemistry and process factors on specific intermetallic phases which influence zirconium alloy (Zircaloy) properties and performance. Intermetallics undergo changes in structure that affect mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The structural include phase nucleation, growth and restructuring during material processing, and these changes are strongly influenced by the concentrations of the alloying elements. Variables include beta-quench temperature and quench rate, post-beta-quench cold-work and annealing, and subsequent cold-work/anneal cycles to control final precipitate morphology. The research examines corrosion (nodular and uniform), microstructure (with particular attention to intermetallics), mechanical properties, and manufacturability, evaluated using automated ball indentation. Zirconium alloy sheet material is used to simulate tubing for ease of fabrication and testing. The study is performed in collaboration with the General Electric Company's Zircaloy manufacturing center in Wilmington, NC, and Vallecitos nuclear center in California. %%% Zircaloys are widely used in fission reactors as thin-walled tubing for cladding nuclear fuel, intermediate grids, channels (BWRs), and calandria tubing (PHWRs). The research program allows a student to learn on-site the metallurgical factors associated with the application of this alloy. ***