Undergraduate Thesis

Title : Thermal Irradiation Characteristics of Cladding Material for Nuclear Fusion Reactors: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Abstract: 

The harmful effects of radiation on materials are a major concern in the development of radiation-tolerant structural components for current and future nuclear fusion reactors. Thorough analysis is crucial to design robust materials that can endure extreme radiation environments. This study focuses on examining the radiation damage properties of alloys currently used or considered for nuclear power plants. Binary alloys are vital for high-temperature applications due to their favorable thermodynamic properties. Iron-tungsten (Fe-W) alloys, in particular, stand out for their excellent mechanical properties and environmental compatibility. The addition of tungsten enhances corrosion resistance and hardness, making Fe-W alloys suitable for high-temperature protective coatings, such as nuclear reactor cladding.

The focus of this study was to assess the irradiation resistance of Fe-W alloy, which is crucial for their application in extreme environments like nuclear reactors. The investigation explored the correlation between radiation damage resistance and various influencing factors, including the primary knock-on atom (PKA) energy, temperature variations, the effects of alloying, the distance of the PKA from the Fe-W interface, and the influence of short-range atomic ordering. To achieve this, a hybrid simulation approach combining Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics methods was be employed. This approach allowed for a comprehensive analysis of how these factors affect the radiation resistance of Fe-W alloys, providing valuable insights into their potential as high-temperature, radiation-tolerant materials for nuclear fusion reactor applications.