Engineering Commons^™

Theoretical Modeling Of Protective Oxide Layer Growth In Non-Isothermal Lead-Alloys Coolant Systems, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The goal of the proposed research project is to provide basic understanding of the protective oxide layer behaviors and to develop oxide layer growth models of steels in non-isothermal lead-alloys (lead or lead-bismuth eutectic) coolant systems. It is widely recognized that the corrosiveness of the lead-alloys is a critical obstacle and challenge for which it can be safely used or applied in the nuclear coolant systems. Active oxygen control technique can promote the formation of the “self-healing” oxide films on the structural material surface, drastically reducing steel corrosion and coolant contamination. Many experiments of steels exposed to flowing lead-alloys have …

High Temperature Heat Exchanger Project: Quarterly Progress Report October 1, 2004 Through December 31, 2004, Anthony Hechanova

Publications (NSTD)

UNLV hosted an NHI Systems Interface Meeting on Dec. 16 and a UNLVRF HTHX Kickoff Meeting on Dec. 17. The purpose of the meetings was to coordinate the FY05 research and development effort of the UNLV Research Foundation portion of the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative among the DOE, national program technical directors and the UNLVRF collaborators. Collaborators also had the opportunity to discuss their research program plan and update their progress. It was decided that these type of collaboration meetings were very useful and they will be held quarterly at the various collaborator sites. The next meeting will be in March …

Fundamental And Applied Experimental Investigations Of Corrosion Of Steel By Lbe Under Controlled Conditions: Kinetics, Chemistry, Morphology, And Surface Preparation: Quarterly Report (October-December 2004), Allen L. Johnson, John Farley, Dale L. Perry

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This project has four components:

(1) the fabrication of a materials test apparatus with unique capabilities,

(2) comparative studies of steel corrosion under gas phase conditions comparable to the Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) oxygen control conditions,

(3) isotope labeling studies, and

(4) collaborative efforts with other workers in the field.

Stress Corrosion Cracking And Hydrogen Embrittlement Of Martensitic Alloy Ep-823, Mohammad K. Hossain

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation is focused on the evaluation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC), localized corrosion, and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of martensitic Alloy EP-823 in neutral and acidic solutions at ambient and elevated temperatures. While no failures were observed in smooth specimens in the neutral solution, failures were noticed in the 90°C acidic solution at constant-load (CL) leading to a threshold stress (O'_th) of 102 ksi. The presence of a notch reduced the O'_th value to 91 ksi in a similar environment. The ductility (%El and %RA), time-to-failure (TTF), and true failure stress (O'_r) were gradually …

Environment Assisted Cracking Of Target Structural Materials Under Different Loading Conditions, Venkataramakrishnan Selvaraj

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Martensitic Alloy HT-9 has been tested for its evaluation of stress corrosion cracking resistance in neutral and acidic solutions at ambient and elevated temperatures incorporating smooth and notched cylindrical specimens under constant load and slow strain rate (SSR) conditions. C-ring and U-bend specimens have also been tested for stress corrosion cracking evaluation in the acidic solution. The role of hydrogen on the cracking tendency has been evaluated by cathodic applied potential.

The results of constant load testing enabled the determination of the threshold stress for stress corrosion cracking in susceptible environments. The magnitudes of ductility parameters were reduced with increasing …

Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance Of Martensitic Stainless Steels For Transmutation Applications, Phani P. Gudipati

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The susceptibility of Alloy EP-823 to stress corrosion cracking has been evaluated using smooth and notched cylindrical specimens in neutral and acidic solutions at ambient and elevated temperatures using constant load and slow strain rate testing (SSR) techniques. C-ring and U-bend specimens have also been tested in the acidic solution. The effect of hydrogen on the cracking susceptibility has been evaluated under controlled cathodic potential. While no failures were observed with smooth specimens at constant load, the notched specimens showed failure. The SSR test results indicate that the true failure stress (o'_f), time to failure and ductility parameters …

Environmental Effects On Corrosion Properties Of Alloy 22, K. S. Raja, L. G. Mcmillion, Shantanu A. Namjoshi, Paige Russel, Raymond E. Keeler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

During the regulatory life of the Yucca Mountain High Level Nuclear Waste (HLNW) repository the primary engineered barrier that is to prevent release of radioactive material into the environment is proposed to be a Corrosion-Resistant Material (CRM) outer shell covering the Waste Package (WP) container. The current selection for the CRM is Alloy 22 (UNS N06022), a Ni-Cr-Mo-W-Fe alloy. Alloy 22 forms a defective chromic oxide passive film which results in excellent corrosion resistance; the presence of molybdenum in Alloy 22 offers corrosion resistance in reducing environments as well as oxidizing environments.

Phase Stability And Segregation In Alloy 22 Base Metal And Weldments, Jeffrey Lacombe, Shantanu A. Namjoshi, Paige Russel, Raymond E. Keeler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The current design of the waste disposal containers relies heavily on encasement in a multi-layered container, featuring a corrosion barrier of Alloy 22, a Ni-Cr-Mo-W based alloy with excellent corrosion resistance over a wide range of conditions. The fundamental concern from the perspective of the Yucca Mountain Project, however, is the inherent uncertainty in the (very) long-term stability of the base metal and welds. Should the properties of the selected materials change over the long service life of the waste packages, it is conceivable that the desired performance characteristics (such as corrosion reistance) will become compromised, leading to premature failure …

Development Of A Mechanistic Understanding Of High-Temperature Deformation Of Alloy Ep-823 For Transmutation Applications: Final Progress Report (September 2003 – August 2004), Ajit K. Roy, Brendan O'Toole

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this task is to evaluate the tensile properties of three martensitic alloys namely, Alloys EP-823, HT-9 and 422 at temperatures relevant to the transmutation processes. Testing has been performed to evaluate the tensile properties of all three alloys at temperatures ranging from ambient to 600^°C. The test materials were thermally-treated (quenched and tempered) prior to the evaluation of their tensile properties. The deformation characteristics of these tensile specimens, upon completion of testing, were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Efforts were also made to identify and characterize defects such as dislocations using transmission electron microscopy …

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities Phase Iii: Quarterly Report, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

This quarterly report provides an update to the last phase of the Modeling, Fabrication, and Optimization of Niobium Cavities. Designing the experimental setup of secondary electron emission was well underway in early summer of 2003 when funding was made available for this portion the study. By March 2004, many of the components of the experimental study reached UNLV with some assembly accomplished. The first secondary electron emission (SEE) measurement was made from the surface of a Faraday cup in September 2004. At a particular beam energy, the current measured with the Faraday cup and electrometer changed sign over a range …

Use Of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy For Stress-Strain Measurements: Quarterly Progress Report (June 01 – August 31, 2004), Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Highlights of Test Results:

• Residual stress measurements by the RC method on cold-worked specimens showed tensile residual stresses in austenitic stainless steel. However, compressive residual stresses were observed in martensitic stainless steel. This difference may be attributed to the difference in metallurgical phases and microstructures resulting from different thermal treatments imparted to them.

• Residual stress measurements by both ND and RC techniques on welded specimens showed similar patterns. Welded specimens consisting of similar material showed tensile residual stresses in the vicinity of the fusion line (FL). However, welded specimens consisting of dissimilar materials (austenitic and martensitic stainless steel …

Sub-Surface Corrosion Research On Rock Bolt System, Perforated Ss Sheets And Steel Sets For The Yucca Mountain Repository — Quarterly Technical Report No. 1, Dhanesh Chandra, Jaak J.K. Daemen, Raul Rebak

Publications (YM)

The principal purpose of the cooperative agreement is to develop and continue providing the public and the Office of Repository Development (ORD) of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) with an independently derived, unbiased body of scientific and engineering data concerning the study of Yucca Mountain as a potential high-level radioactive waste repository. Under this agreement, the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) will perform scientific or engineering research, and maintain and foster collaborative working relationships between government and academic researchers. The following describes the objectives of Task 019 “Subsurface Corrosion …

High Temperature Heat Exchanger Project: Quarterly Progress Report July 1, 2004 Through September 30, 2004, Anthony Hechanova

Publications (NSTD)

UNLV hosted a meeting on NHI Materials and Heat Exchanger Design on Monday, May 17. Paul Pickard (Sandia National Lab) and Bill Corwin (Oak Ridge National Lab) facilitated the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to summarize the hydrogen materials and heat exchanger requirements and priorities for UNLV staff and their collaborators to support the research proposal solicitation for the UNLV Research Foundation HTHX program. Attendance was heavier than anticipated and required a change of venue to accommodate the crowd of over 30.

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics-Task V: Trp Final Report 09/01/2003-08/31/2004, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been determined from previous experimental studies by the Russians and the European scientific community to be a potential material that can be used as a spallation target and coolant for the TRP proposed application. Properly controlling the oxygen content in LBE can drastically reduce the LBE corrosion to structural steels. However, existing knowledge of material corrosion performance was obtained from point-wise testing with only very sparse experimental data. Scientists have noticed that the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the liquid alloy could control the corrosion rate of steels exposed to Pb or Pb-Bi. At high …

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics-Task V: Fourth Quarterly Report 06/01/2004-08/31/2004, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been determined from previous experimental studies by the Russians and the European scientific community to be a potential material that can be used as a spallation target and coolant for the TRP proposed application. Properly controlling the oxygen content in LBE can drastically reduce the LBE corrosion to structural steels. However, existing knowledge of material corrosion performance was obtained from point-wise testing with only very sparse experimental data. Scientists have noticed that the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the liquid alloy could control the corrosion rate of steels exposed to Pb or Pb-Bi. At high …

Experimental Investigation Of Time Dependent Behavior Of Welded Topopah Spring Tuff, Lumin Ma

Publications (YM)

Four types of laboratory tests have been performed. Specimens were attained from four lithophysal zones of the welded Topopah Spring Tuff unit at Yucca Mountain, Nevada: upper lithophysal, middle nonlithophysal, lower lithophysal and lower nonlithophysal zones. Two types of tests are conducted to study time-dependent behavior: constant strain rate and creep tests. Sixty five specimens from the middle nonlithophysal zone were tested at six strain rates: 10 , 10 , 10 , 10 , 10 , and 10 . Test durations range from 2 seconds to 7 days. Fourteen specimens from middle nonlithophysal, lower lithophysal and lower nonlithophysal zones are …

Embrittlement And Localized Corrosion In Alloy Ht-9, Sudheer Sama

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation is focused on the evaluation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC), hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and localized corrosion susceptibility of Alloy HT -9 in neutral and acidic solutions at 30, 60 and 90°C. Constant-load and slow-strain-rate (SSR) testing techniques were used to evaluate the SCC and HE behavior of this alloy by using smooth and notched tensile specimens. Hydrogen effect on the cracking behavior was evaluated by applying cathodic (negative) potential to the test specimens. Localized corrosion susceptibility was evaluated by cyclic potentiodynamic polarization technique. The results of constant load SCC testing showed a threshold stress at 80% of the …

Environment-Induced Degradations In A Target Structural Material For Transmutation Applications, Ramprashad Prabhakaran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation is focused on the evaluation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and localized corrosion behavior of Type 422 stainless steel in aqueous environments at ambient and elevated temperature. The results of constant load SCC testing using smooth specimens showed no failure in the neutral solution but a threshold stress of 97 ksi was observed in the 90°C acidic environment. SCC testing by the slow-strain-rate test method indicate that the time-to-failure, true failure stress and ductility parameters were gradually reduced with increasing temperature, showing more pronounced effect in the acidic solution. The application of a controlled cathodic potential showed further …

Environment-Induced Degradation And Crack-Growth Studies Of Candidate Target Materials: Annual Progress Report (May 2003 – May 2004), Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

As indicated in the original proposal, the primary objective of this task was to evaluate the effect of hydrogen on environment-assisted cracking of candidate target structural materials for applications in spallation-neutron-target (SNT) systems such as accelerator production of tritium (APT) and accelerator transmutation of waste (ATW). The materials selected for evaluation and characterization were martensitic stainless steels including Alloy EP 823, HT-9, and Type 422 stainless steel. The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of these materials were evaluated in neutral and acidic aqueous environments using smooth and notched tensile specimens under constant-load (CL) and slow-strain-rate (SSR) conditions. Further, the …

Spectroscopic And Microscopic Investigation Of The Corrosion Of 316/316l Stainless Steel By Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (Lbe) At Elevated Temperatures: Importance Of Surface Preparation, Allen L. Johnson, Denise Parsons, Julia Manzerova, Dale L. Perry, Daniel Koury, Brian D. Hosterman, John Farley

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The corrosion of steel by lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) is an important issue in proposed nuclear transmutation schemes. Russian scientists at the IPPE exposed steel samples to oxygen-controlled LBE at temperatures up to 823 K and exposure times up to 3000 h. We have characterized these post-exposure steel samples and unexposed controls, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Previous researchers have investigated the corrosion by LBE of steel of varying composition. In the present work, we compared two samples having the same composition (standard nuclear grade 316/316L) but different surface preparation: a cold-rolled …

High Temperature Heat Exchanger Project: Quarterly Progress Report April 1, 2004 Through June 30, 2004, Anthony Hechanova

Publications (NSTD)

UNLV hosted a meeting on NHI Materials and Heat Exchanger Design on Monday, May 17. Paul Pickard (Sandia National Lab) and Bill Corwin (Oak Ridge National Lab) facilitated the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to summarize the hydrogen materials and heat exchanger requirements and priorities for UNLV staff and their collaborators to support the research proposal solicitation for the UNLV Research Foundation HTHX program. Attendance was heavier than anticipated and required a change of venue to accommodate the crowd of over 30.

Modeling Corrosion In Oxygen Controlled Lbe Systems With Coupling Of Chemical Kinetics And Hydrodynamics-Task V: Third Quarterly Report 03/01/2004-05/31/2004, Samir Moujaes, Yitung Chen

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The Lead-Bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been determined from previous experimental studies by the Russians and the European scientific community to be a potential material that can be used as a spallation target and coolant for the TRP proposed application. Properly controlling the oxygen content in LBE can drastically reduce the LBE corrosion to structural steels. However, existing knowledge of material corrosion performance was obtained from point-wise testing with only very sparse experimental data. Scientists have noticed that the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the liquid alloy could control the corrosion rate of steels exposed to Pb or Pb-Bi. At high …

Development Of Nanostructure Based Corrosion-Barrier Coatings On Steel For Transmutation Applications, Biswajit Das

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The objective of this project is to develop a novel nanostructure based coating technology that will provide significantly improved corrosion resistance for steel in LBE at elevated temperatures (500 - 600^oC), as well as provide long-term reliability under thermal cycling. The nanostructure based coatings will consist of a layer of nanoporous alumina with the pores filled with an oxidizing metal such as Cr, followed by a capping layer of alumina. Alumina, which is a robust anti-corrosion material, provides corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. The Cr serves two purposes: (1) it acts as a solid filler material for the …

Effect Of Silicon Content On The Corrosion Resistance And Radiation-Induced Embrittlement Of Materials For Advanced Heavy Liquid Metal Nuclear Systems, Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this collaborative research project involving the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Idaho State University (ISU) is to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) content on the corrosion behavior and radiation-induced embrittlement of martensitic stainless steels having chemical compositions similar to that of the modified 9Cr-1Mo 2 steel. Recent studies at LANL involving Alloy EP-823 of different Si content have demonstrated that increased Si content in this alloy may enhance the corrosion resistance in molten lead-bismuth-eutectic (LBE). Since very little data exists in the open literature on the beneficial effect of …

Modeling, Optimization, And Flow Visualization Of Chemical Etching Process In Niobium Cavities, Sathish K. Subramanian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Niobium cavities are important component of the linear accelerators. Researchers have concluded that buffered chemical polishing on the inner surface of the cavity improves its performance. However the mechanism of chemical polishing is not well understood. A finite element computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the fluid flow characteristics of chemical etching process inside the cavity. The CFD model is then used to optimize the baffle design. The analysis confirmed the observation of other researchers that the iris section of the cavity received more etching than the equator regions. The baffle, which directs flow towards the walls …

Theoretical Modeling Of Protective Oxide Layer Growth In Non-Isothermal Lead-Alloys Coolant Systems, Yitung Chen, Jinsuo Zhang, Jichun Li

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The goal of the proposed research project is to provide basic understanding of the protective oxide layer behaviors and to develop oxide layer growth models of steels in non-isothermal leadalloys (lead or lead-bismuth eutectic) coolant systems. It is widely recognized that the corrosiveness of the lead-alloys is a critical obstacle and challenge for which it can be safely used or applied in the nuclear coolant systems. Active oxygen control technique can promote the formation of the “self-healing” oxide films on the structural material surface, drastically reducing steel corrosion and coolant contamination. Many experiments of steels exposed to flowing leadalloys have …

Use Of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy For Stress-Strain Measurements, Ajit K. Roy

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

The purpose of this collaborative research project involving the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and Idaho State University (ISU) is to evaluate the feasibility of determining residual stresses of welded, bent (three-point-bend), and cold-worked engineering materials using a new nondestructive technique based on positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). The proposed technique is to use γ-rays from a small MeV electron linear accelerator (Linac) to generate positrons inside the test sample via 2 pair production. This method can be used for materials characterization and investigation of defects in thick samples that usually cannot be accomplished by conventional positron technique or other …

Corrosion Research On Rock Bolts And Steel Sets For Sub-Surface Reinforcement Of The Yucca Mountain Repository, Dhanesh Chandra, Jaak J.K. Daemen, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

Corrosion resistance of Yucca Mountain (YM) carbon steel rock bolt (0.44%C) and I-beam steel sets (0.08%C) towards electrochemical/general corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility has been determined using simulated YM waters in this Task 18 for YM site underground repository tunnel support. These findings show the corrosion behavior of these structural support members with and without applied stresses in simulated YM environments. The simulated YM waters were increased in nominal concentrations from Ix to lOOx (three different levels) for electrochemical and other corrosion studies. The effect of temperature, of significance to YM repository, on the corrosion …

High Temperature Heat Exchanger Project: Quarterly Progress Report January 1, 2004 Through March 31, 2004, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas. Research Foundation, Robert F. D. Perret

Publications (NSTD)

Mutually satisfactory language has been developed to permit signing of a subcontract between the General Atomics Corporation and the UNLV Research Foundation. The contract is signed.

Modeling, Fabrication, And Optimization Of Niobium Cavities: Phase Iii Third Quarterly Report, Robert A. Schill Jr., Mohamed Trabia

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Niobium cavities are important parts of the integrated NC/SC high-power linacs. Over the years, researchers in several countries have tested various cavity shapes. They concluded that elliptically shaped cells are the most appropriate shape for superconducting cavities. The need for very clean surfaces lead to the use of a buffered chemical polishing produce for surface cleaning to get good performance of the cavities. The third phase concludes the experimental a fluid flow study and optimization study. The first quarter and second quarter of phase three also begins the experimental set-up of secondary emission studies from niobium in superconducting mode. This …