Radiation damage response of ceramics in extreme environments
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Date
2010-10-24
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sociedad Nuclear Mexicana (Mexican Nuclear Society)
Abstract
Oxide-based and inter-metallic compounds have great potential as new materials for clean and renewable energy production. Many of these materials, especially those designed for operation in Generation IV fission reactors or in fusion reactors, must exhibit robust performance under extreme conditions of temperature, irradiation, and chemical attack. Others, such as nuclear waste forms, may be required to retain radioactive elements for long periods of time in geological repositories. The mechanisms of radiation damage production and recovery in these materials may vary considerably as a function of the damage source, e.g., energetic neutrons in reactor systems versus alpha decay in nuclear waste forms. Furthermore, the kinetics of damage recovery are complicated by multiply activated processes and in certain cases, longer-term diffusion may modify the structural state left by irradiation in the short term. Here, we review some basic concepts regarding the mechanisms of radiation damage in selected ceramic materials, including mathematical models, fluence-temperature relationships, and predictive methodologies. A major consideration for materials performance is the ability of a given compound to resist amorphization. Historically, there are a number of general criteria for radiation resistance, including those involving melting point (thermodynamics), structural freedom, bonding, and energetics of defect formation. These are discussed using specific examples.
Description
Keywords
Alpha decay, Amorphous state, Bonding, Ceramics, Diffusion, Physical radiation effects, Irradiation, Oxides, Radioactive wastes, Thermodynamics
Citation
Lumpkin, G. R., Smith, K. L., Whittle, K. R., Thomas, B., & Marks, N. A. (2010). Radiation damage response of ceramics in extreme environments. In Proceedings of the 17th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference : Nuclear energy : an environmentally sound option, Cancun, Mexico, October 24-30, 2010.