Fan W. Zeng

Effects of graphite porosity and anisotropy on measurements of elastic modulus using laser ultrasonics

Laser ultrasonic techniques can be used to study the ultrasonic properties of nuclear graphites and can serve as tools in establishing relationships between materials microstructure and the macroscopic stiffnesses of graphite. Establishing structure-property relationships permits improved ultrasonic sensing of graphite microstructural changes related to service-induced degradation. Laser ultrasonic measurements were made using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser source and detection was performed using a Michelson-type interferometer. This source-receiver combination provides for non-contacting, highly linear transduction of broadbanded, ultrasonic pulses permitting simultaneous determination of longitudinal and shear stiffnesses. Measurements show that among the graphites examined, a change in density of 0.21 g/cm3 (average 1.8 g/cm3) results in a change in the longitudinal elastic stiffness of 7.1 GPa (average 12.2 GPa) and 3.2 GPa (average 4.3 GPa) for the shear stiffness. Larger variations in density were produced by controlled oxidation of IG-110 and NBG-18. Shear wave birefringence measurements using laser line sources in IG-110 and PCEA indicate that IG-110 behaves isotropically while PCEA displays texture characteristic of transversely isotropic materials.

Effect of Polymer Structure on Precursor Diffusion and Particle Formation in Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites

Palladium nanoparticles were synthesized in a semi-crystalline poly[tetrafluoroethylene-co-(perfluoropropyl vinyl ether)] matrix using a chemical infusion technique where a chemical precursor is vaporized and diffused into the polymer matrix. Once in the matrix, the precursor is made to decompose resulting in nanoparticle formation. The effect of polymer structure on precursor diffusion was investigated by comparing the diffusion behavior of the precursor molecules in the as-received polymer as well as in a heat-treated polymer matrix. Results from the diffusivity measurements were interpreted using a free volume model to gain a physical and conceptual understanding of precursor diffusion in fluoropolymers. In addition, transmission electron microscopy analysis was performed on the polymer matrix nanocomposites, and significant differences in particle size and spatial distributions were found between nanocomposites synthesized using as-received and heat-treated polymer matrices. Both precursor diffusivity and particle formation changed as a result of modifications to the polymer matrix suggesting that the particle size and spatial distribution are determined by the structure and morphology of the polymer matrix and are likely linked to the free volume of the polymer.

Nano-acoustic resonators for sensing near-particle environments in polymer matrix nanocomposites

The characteristics of nano-acoustic resonators are analyzed to assess their use in sensing the acoustic properties of the near-particle environment of nanoparticles embedded in various matrices. This type of information is critical to understanding the chemo-physical interactions between these matrices and particles in polymer matrix nanocomposites designed to provide specific optical and chemical access to the particles.

Laser ultrasonic assessment of the effects of oxidation and microcracking on the elastic moduli of nuclear graphites

Structure-property relationships in bulk materials can be important in establishing sensing methods to assess the state of material microstructure. This is particularly true for nuclear graphites since these materials can display anisotropy and can become oxidized under service conditions. Both anisotropy and oxidation-induced porosity can influence structural integrity and this must be confirmed during the lifetime of the material. In this work, laser ultrasonic methods were used to measure the elastic response of various graphite grades with a focus on NBG-18, NBG-25 and IG-110. Results of laser ultrasonic measurements in oxidized graphites show that the moduli decrease with increasing porosity. This variation can be interpreted successfully using effective medium models if the characteristics of graphite porosity are taken into account. Results of laser ultrasonic shear wave birefringence measurements can be used to assess elastic anisotropy. This anisotropy can be expressed in terms of the orientation distribution coefficients W400 and W200. Interpretation of results requires the use of appropriate property-averaging schemes.

Linear and nonlinear optical processing of polymer matrix nanocomposites

This work focuses on the scalable synthesis and processing of nanostructures in polymer matrix nanocomposites (PMNCs) for applications that require photochemical functionality of these nanostructures. An in situ vapor deposition process using various metal and metal oxide precursors has been used to create a range of nanocomposites that display photochromic and photocatalytic behaviors. Under specific processing conditions, these composites consist of discrete nanoparticles distributed uniformly throughout the bulk of an optically transparent polymer matrix. Incorporating other chemical species as supplementary deposition agents in the synthesis process can modify these particles and produce complicated nanostructures with enhanced properties. In particular, work has been carried out to structure nanoparticles using laser irradiation. Starting with metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, localized chemical vapor deposition in the near-particle environment has been carried out using laser irradiation to decompose chemical precursors leading to the formation of secondary structures surrounding the seed nanoparticles. Control of the spatial and temporal characteristics of the excitation source allows for synthesis of nanocomposites with a high degree of control over the location, composition and size of nanoparticles in the matrix and presents the opportunity to produce patterned materials with spatially varying properties.

Characterization of nuclear graphite elastic properties using laser ultrasonic methods

Laser ultrasonic methods have been used to characterize the elastic behaviors of commercially-available and legacy nuclear graphites. Since ultrasonic techniques are sensitive to various aspects of graphite microstructure including preferred grain orientation, microcrack orientation and porosity, laser ultrasonics is a candidate technique for monitoring graphite degradation and structural integrity in environments expected in high-temperature, gas-cooled nuclear reactors. Aspects of materials texture can be assessed by studying ultrasonic wavespeeds as a function of propagation direction and polarization. Shear wave birefringence measurements, in particular, can be used to evaluate elastic anisotropy. In this work, laser ultrasonic measurements of graphite moduli have been made to provide insight into the relationship between the microstructures and the macroscopic stiffnesses of these materials. In particular, laser ultrasonic measurements have been made using laser line sources to produce shear waves with specific polarizations. By varying the line orientation relative to the sample, shear wave birefringence measurements have been recorded. Results from shear wave birefringence measurements show that an isostatically molded graphite, such as PCIB, behaves isotropically, while an extruded graphite, such as H-451, displays significant ultrasonic texture. Graphites have complicated microstructures that depend on the manufacturing processes used, and ultrasonic texture in these materials could originate from grain orientation and preferred microcrack alignment. Effects on material isotropy due to service related microstructural changes are possible and the ultimate aim of this work is to determine the degree to which these changes can be assessed nondestructively using laser ultrasonics measurements.