Structure-property relations of materials having complex microstructures generated by radiation damage and Additive Manufacturing

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Additive Manufacturing (AM) of metals is a novel technology which can significantly advance the production of custom-made components and 3D printing of mechanical parts not manufacturable by conventional means. Engineering applications relying on complex precision-made structures, would significantly benefit from these novel capabilities. The proposed research program aims to explore how components made by AM for nuclear reactors and for sensitive astrophysics detectors designed to identify dark matter will compare in strength, reliability and purity to conventionally manufactured parts. The development of both nuclear and detector technology are of high interest and strongly supported by the Government of Canada. This proposal will investigate how AM nuclear materials deteriorate under irradiation. As nuclear reactors age, the structure of the core is weakened because it is exposed to high temperature and energetic radiation by the active nuclear fuel. To test the durability and reliability of novel AM components under conditions found in a reactor, we will investigate how defects accumulate in metal alloys when bombarded with radiation, and subsequently how their strength changes. We will inspect the population of the microscopic defects by electron microscopy to determine their type, and by X-ray scattering in Dr. Balogh's modern X-ray laboratory to quantify the amount of defects produced during irradiation. We will give special attention to the effect of power-cycling on the accumulation of defects as it is of high-interest for future Canadian reactor designs. This information is key for understanding how the steadily accumulating defects deteriorate the mechanical components and for anticipating when they need replacement avoiding expensive unscheduled shutdowns. Large-scale, sensitive astrophysics detectors rely on uniquely-shaped structural components made from radiopure copper, meaning that their already very low natural radioactivity is reduced further by various purification methods. The proposed work aims to find the optimal conditions/settings for the AM process in order to obtain mechanically reliable parts while also preserving the radio-purity of copper. A blend of 4 PhD, 2 MSc and undergraduate students working on the proposed research will be immersed in a uniquely interdisciplinary and diverse environment fostered by the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute. They will be trained in materials characterization techniques, AM and nuclear technology, areas of interest to both academia and industry. This research will contribute to the on-going search effort of astroparticle physicists for a method to directly detect dark matter. It will also help the Canadian nuclear industry-which contributes over $6 billion/year to the Canadian economy and sustains more than 40,000 jobs-with new knowledge and future recruitment of highly qualified personnel.