Thermotransport in gamma(bcc) U-Zr alloys: A phase-field model study

    Authors

    R. R. Mohanty; J. Bush; M. A. Okuniewski;Y. H. Sohn

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Nucl. Mater.

    Keywords

    FAST-REACTOR FUEL; CONSTITUENT REDISTRIBUTION; THERMAL DIFFUSION; GRADIENT; SYSTEM; ELECTROMIGRATION; THERMOMIGRATION; TEMPERATURE; MIGRATION; URANIUM; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Nuclear Science & Technology; Mining & Mineral Processing

    Abstract

    Atomic transport in the presence of a temperature gradient, commonly known as thermotransport or the thermomigration phenomenon, was simulated for U-Zr alloys using a phase-field model derived from irreversible thermodynamics. The free energy of the U-Zr system, a necessary ingredient for the phase-field-model, was directly incorporated from the available thermodynamic database. Kinetic parameters such as atomic mobility and heat of transport terms were obtained from experimental values reported in the literature. The model was applied to a single-phase (bcc-gamma phase) alloy and to a diffusion couple consisting of two single-phase (bcc-gamma phase) alloys of different compositions, both subjected to a constant temperature gradient. Constituent redistribution in the absence and presence of a compositional gradient was examined. An enrichment of Zr with a corresponding depletion of U was observed at the hot end of the initially homogeneous single-phase alloy. A similar atomic transport behavior was observed in the diffusion couple, where the magnitude and direction of the final composition gradient was dictated by the combined influence of atomic mobility and heat of transport terms. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Nuclear Materials

    Volume

    414

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article; Proceedings Paper

    Language

    English

    First Page

    211

    Last Page

    216

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000293481800023

    ISSN

    0022-3115

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