Understanding the Synergistic Irradiation Creep Response of Ferritic Martensitic Steels using Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy (Materials Strand Project)

Supervisors: Dr Ed Pickering (University of Manchester), Dr Philipp Frankel (University of Manchester), David Lunt (UKAEA), Allan Harte (UKAEA)

Ferritic-martensitic (FM) steels are the primary structural material candidates for the blanket components of fusion reactors, selected over austenitic steels because of their superior resistance to irradiation swelling. However, FM steels suffer from reduced thermal creep resistance at elevated temperatures, the mechanisms for which are believed to be microstructurally-driven. Indeed, the irradiation-creep response for representative environments is unknown and constitutes significant risk to component design and qualification for use in future plants.

The effects of irradiation, mechanical load, creep, and thermal ageing occur simultaneously in a fusion reactor, i.e., these processes interact synergistically. Despite this knowledge, the current approach to acquisition of materials data for component assessments is to perform tests under these separate environments in isolation or sequentially. For example, post-irradiation deformation studies on irradiated material have previously demonstrated a clear change in the mechanical performance due to irradiation hardening and embrittlement. However, it is unclear whether these same behaviours occur when loading and irradiation are applied simultaneously.

This project will aim to utilise recently developed capability for in-situ synergistic thermomechanical testing with irradiation, at University of Manchesters Dalton Cumbrian Facility, to compare the synergistic irradiation creep response to non-irradiated thermal creep and post-irradiated thermal creep material. Due to the complexity of the underlying microstructure in FM steels, advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis will be used to fully understand the microstructural response to the irradiation and the applied mechanical load at elevated temperatures. This will be conducted in University of Manchesters world-leading Electron Microscopy Centre. The TEM analysis will provide a mechanistic understanding of irradiation creep behaviour in FM steels, along with understanding of the impact of testing properties synergistically versus the traditional post irradiation route.

The project will be mainly based in Manchester, but there is the opportunity for travel to conferences and collaborations with other groups.

This project may be compatible with part time study, please contact the project supervisors if you are interested in exploring this.

This project is offered by University of Manchester. For further information please contact Ed Pickering Ed.pickering@manchester.ac.uk

For details on how to apply, please visit: Apply