Materials Structure & Performance
Contact
Mike Rinker
509-375-6623
Structural Materials for Nuclear Energy
Utilizing a combination of mechanical testing, microstructural analysis and computer modeling we are studying a host of issues related to materials in the nuclear industry. Work on materials for fusion energy is being performed under the ITER project through the Office of Fusion Energy, which includes SiC composites for high-temperature uses and the fate of helium in metallic alloys for structural purposes. A key issue being studied in fission reactors is environment-assisted cracking in metallic alloys, as well as hardening, segregation, swelling and embrittlement of materials in core internals for current and advanced reactor systems. Research is being performed for a wide range of clients including the international nuclear power industry, the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, regulatory agencies and the nuclear navy.
Computational Materials Science
Computational studies of materials and processes can simulate and complement physical experiments. Staff expertise in molecular dynamics, kinetic modeling, and finite element models has been applied to a wide variety of materials problems such as radiation damage, interfacial and deformation models, kinetically driven diffusion, and surface phenomena. Computational tools have been developed for clients such as the DOE Offices of Fusion Energy, Basic Energy Sciences, and Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, and a number of industrial clients.
Environmental Effects on Materials Performance
Extensive staff experience and expertise exists in corrosion and environment-assisted cracking for a wide range of metallic alloys and composite materials. A strong fundamental science understanding has evolved focused on material-environment interactions including dissolution, oxidation and hydrogen effects on failure mechanisms, particularly in energy systems. Unique research capabilities have been created for stress-corrosion and creep crack-growth testing in high-temperature aggressive environments and for high-resolution analytical characterization of corrosion and cracking processes.
Transmission Electron Microscope.