Linking Lattice Strain and Fractal Dimensions to Non-monotonic Volume Changes in Irradiated Nuclear Graphite

David J. Sprouster; Sean Fayfar; Durgesh K. Rai; Anne Campbell; Jan Ilavsky; Lance L. Snead; Boris Khaykovich

doi:10.1002/idm2.70008

Linking Lattice Strain and Fractal Dimensions to Non-monotonic Volume Changes in Irradiated Nuclear Graphite

David J. Sprouster
, Sean Fayfar
, Durgesh K. Rai
, Anne Campbell
, Jan Ilavsky
, Lance L. Snead
, Boris Khaykovich

Materials Science and Engineering

Stony Brook University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Graphite's resilience to high temperatures and neutron damage makes it vital for nuclear reactors, yet irradiation alters its microstructure, degrading key properties. We used small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering to study neutron-irradiated fine-grain nuclear graphite (Grade G347A) across varied temperatures and fluences. Results show significant shifts in internal strain and porosity, correlating with radiation-induced volume changes. Notably, porosity volume distribution (fractal dimensions) follows non-monotonic volume changes, suggesting a link to the Weibull distribution of fracture stress.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	714-718
Number of pages	5
Journal	Interdisciplinary Materials
Volume	4
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/idm2.70008
State	Published - Sep 2025

Keywords

X-ray scattering
fractal dimensions
nuclear graphite
radiation damage

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10.1002/idm2.70008

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title = "Linking Lattice Strain and Fractal Dimensions to Non-monotonic Volume Changes in Irradiated Nuclear Graphite",

abstract = "Graphite's resilience to high temperatures and neutron damage makes it vital for nuclear reactors, yet irradiation alters its microstructure, degrading key properties. We used small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering to study neutron-irradiated fine-grain nuclear graphite (Grade G347A) across varied temperatures and fluences. Results show significant shifts in internal strain and porosity, correlating with radiation-induced volume changes. Notably, porosity volume distribution (fractal dimensions) follows non-monotonic volume changes, suggesting a link to the Weibull distribution of fracture stress.",

keywords = "X-ray scattering, fractal dimensions, nuclear graphite, radiation damage",

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T1 - Linking Lattice Strain and Fractal Dimensions to Non-monotonic Volume Changes in Irradiated Nuclear Graphite

AU - Sprouster, David J.

AU - Fayfar, Sean

AU - Rai, Durgesh K.

AU - Campbell, Anne

AU - Ilavsky, Jan

AU - Snead, Lance L.

AU - Khaykovich, Boris

N1 - Publisher Copyright: Published 2025. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

PY - 2025/9

Y1 - 2025/9

N2 - Graphite's resilience to high temperatures and neutron damage makes it vital for nuclear reactors, yet irradiation alters its microstructure, degrading key properties. We used small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering to study neutron-irradiated fine-grain nuclear graphite (Grade G347A) across varied temperatures and fluences. Results show significant shifts in internal strain and porosity, correlating with radiation-induced volume changes. Notably, porosity volume distribution (fractal dimensions) follows non-monotonic volume changes, suggesting a link to the Weibull distribution of fracture stress.

AB - Graphite's resilience to high temperatures and neutron damage makes it vital for nuclear reactors, yet irradiation alters its microstructure, degrading key properties. We used small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering to study neutron-irradiated fine-grain nuclear graphite (Grade G347A) across varied temperatures and fluences. Results show significant shifts in internal strain and porosity, correlating with radiation-induced volume changes. Notably, porosity volume distribution (fractal dimensions) follows non-monotonic volume changes, suggesting a link to the Weibull distribution of fracture stress.

KW - X-ray scattering

KW - fractal dimensions

KW - nuclear graphite

KW - radiation damage

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012968347

U2 - 10.1002/idm2.70008

DO - 10.1002/idm2.70008

M3 - Article

SN - 2767-4401

VL - 4

SP - 714

EP - 718

JO - Interdisciplinary Materials

JF - Interdisciplinary Materials

IS - 5

ER -

Linking Lattice Strain and Fractal Dimensions to Non-monotonic Volume Changes in Irradiated Nuclear Graphite

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Keywords

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