Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear Fuel

During the γ phase–δ phase transition, U-50Zr fuel experiences spinodal decomposition, which has a significant effect on fuel properties. However, little is known about the spinodal decomposition of U-50Zr. The spinodal decomposition behavior in U-50Zr is studied in this research using the phase-fie...

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Main Authors: Yongxiao La, Chunyang Wen, Linna Feng, Yihui Luo, Di Yun, Wenbo Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/19/1548
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author Yongxiao La
Chunyang Wen
Linna Feng
Yihui Luo
Di Yun
Wenbo Liu
author_facet Yongxiao La
Chunyang Wen
Linna Feng
Yihui Luo
Di Yun
Wenbo Liu
author_sort Yongxiao La
collection DOAJ
description During the γ phase–δ phase transition, U-50Zr fuel experiences spinodal decomposition, which has a significant effect on fuel properties. However, little is known about the spinodal decomposition of U-50Zr. The spinodal decomposition behavior in U-50Zr is studied in this research using the phase-field approach. The mechanism of spinodal decomposition from a thermodynamic perspective is studied, and the effects of temperature and grain boundary (GB) on spinodal decomposition are analyzed. It is found that the concentration of U atoms in the U-rich phase formed during spinodal decomposition is as high as 90%. The U-rich phase first appears at the GB position, and precipitation phases appear inside the grain later. Ostwald ripening occurs when larger precipitation phases on the GB absorb isolated smaller precipitation phases inside the grain. The coarsening rate of precipitation phases and the time it takes for spinodal decomposition to achieve equilibrium are both influenced by temperature.
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publishDate 2024-09-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Nanomaterials
spelling doaj-art-b2c6df8b1e9d42edbfb95a3a1341c55b2025-08-20T02:16:55ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912024-09-011419154810.3390/nano14191548Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear FuelYongxiao La0Chunyang Wen1Linna Feng2Yihui Luo3Di Yun4Wenbo Liu5Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaDepartment of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, Sackville Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UKDepartment of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaDuring the γ phase–δ phase transition, U-50Zr fuel experiences spinodal decomposition, which has a significant effect on fuel properties. However, little is known about the spinodal decomposition of U-50Zr. The spinodal decomposition behavior in U-50Zr is studied in this research using the phase-field approach. The mechanism of spinodal decomposition from a thermodynamic perspective is studied, and the effects of temperature and grain boundary (GB) on spinodal decomposition are analyzed. It is found that the concentration of U atoms in the U-rich phase formed during spinodal decomposition is as high as 90%. The U-rich phase first appears at the GB position, and precipitation phases appear inside the grain later. Ostwald ripening occurs when larger precipitation phases on the GB absorb isolated smaller precipitation phases inside the grain. The coarsening rate of precipitation phases and the time it takes for spinodal decomposition to achieve equilibrium are both influenced by temperature.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/19/1548phase-field modelU-50Zr alloyspinodal decompositiongrain boundary
spellingShingle Yongxiao La
Chunyang Wen
Linna Feng
Yihui Luo
Di Yun
Wenbo Liu
Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear Fuel
Nanomaterials
phase-field model
U-50Zr alloy
spinodal decomposition
grain boundary
title Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear Fuel
title_full Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear Fuel
title_fullStr Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear Fuel
title_full_unstemmed Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear Fuel
title_short Phase-Field Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in U-50Zr Metallic Nuclear Fuel
title_sort phase field simulation of spinodal decomposition in u 50zr metallic nuclear fuel
topic phase-field model
U-50Zr alloy
spinodal decomposition
grain boundary
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/19/1548
work_keys_str_mv AT yongxiaola phasefieldsimulationofspinodaldecompositioninu50zrmetallicnuclearfuel
AT chunyangwen phasefieldsimulationofspinodaldecompositioninu50zrmetallicnuclearfuel
AT linnafeng phasefieldsimulationofspinodaldecompositioninu50zrmetallicnuclearfuel
AT yihuiluo phasefieldsimulationofspinodaldecompositioninu50zrmetallicnuclearfuel
AT diyun phasefieldsimulationofspinodaldecompositioninu50zrmetallicnuclearfuel
AT wenboliu phasefieldsimulationofspinodaldecompositioninu50zrmetallicnuclearfuel