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Microstructure characterization and phase field analysis of dendritic crystal growth of γ-U and BCC-Mo dendrite in U–33 at.% Mo fast reactor fuel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2017

Sibasis Chakraborty ,
Gargi Choudhuri ,
Perepa Subramanya Somayajulu ,
Renu Agarwal  and
Kirity Bhusan Khan
Sibasis Chakraborty*
Affiliation:
Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai-400094, Maharashtra, India; and Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400085, India
Gargi Choudhuri
Affiliation:
Quality Assurance Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400085, India
Perepa Subramanya Somayajulu
Affiliation:
Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400085, India
Renu Agarwal
Affiliation:
Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400085, India
Kirity Bhusan Khan
Affiliation:
Radiometallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai-400085, India
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: sibasis@barc.gov.in
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Abstract

U–Mo metallic alloy is considered as an advanced fast reactor and research reactor fuel material. U–33 at.% Mo has a higher melting point than that of pure uranium metal. This provides a higher safety margin against fuel melting and diminishes fuel and clad interaction. The metallic fuels are fabricated through a melting-casting route, and the cast microstructure of U–33 at.% Mo has been characterized using optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy—energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Electron back scattered diffraction. These microstructures show dendrites of two different morphologies: (i) the γ-(U) dendrite with secondary branches and (ii) the equiaxed (Mo) dendrite without secondary branches and surrounded by a peritectic reaction product. In this article, for the first time, a phase field model has been developed for U–Mo alloys to understand the morphological evolution and the associated microsegregation of γ-(U) dendrites in the U–33 at.% Mo alloy. The evolution of the concentration and temperature field with the time and the effect of undercooling on the growth velocity of γ-(U) and (Mo) dendrites has been studied.

Keywords

fast reactorU–Modendrite
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , 29 January 2018 , pp. 225 - 238
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Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2017 

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Footnotes

Contributing Editor: Michele Manuel

References

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