CX-270399: Nanostructured Composite Alloys for Extreme Environments – University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico proposes to develop extreme performance nanocomposite alloys with engineered interfaces that can withstand irradiation doses up to 600 dpa at elevated temperatures (up to 700°C) for demanding nuclear environments such as fast reactor cladding applications. This will be accomplished by producing nanolayered (10-200 nm individual layer thickness) Cu/Nb and Zr/Nb composites using the Accumulative Roll Bonding (ARB) technique. The project will also investigate the mechanical behavior and thermal stability of these materials up to 700°C and correlate their radiation damage tolerance and thermomechanical stability to their specific interface structures. The selected alloys will be subjected to ion irradiations up to 600 dpa using 5-10 MeV Cu ions at 200-700°C. Microstructural investigation, nanoindentation and small-scale mechanical testing will be performed on irradiated alloys.