Structural steels of nuclear plants of both generation II/III and future generation IV, are exposed to high neutrons flux which can lead to macroscopic mechanic property degradation. These steels have complex microstructure and many alloying elements. Thus, identification of the mechanism responsible for macroscopic evolution are difficult. That’s why, binary model alloys are often used to understand the complex behavior of structural steels under irradiation. In fact, degradation of the macroscopic properties is the result of nanoscale mechanisms located both in and at the borders of the grains. Especially, the radiation-induced segregation can locally modify the chemical composition of the interfaces and cause evolution, sometimes harmful, of the macroscopic properties.
The proposed study aims at experimentally characterize the irradiations effects of charged particles (ions-electrons) on the grain boundary segregation in binary austenitic alloys. Chemical and crystallographic characterizations of the grain boundary will be made by different methods (EBSD, TKD, SAT). The investigation will be made on both massive materials and bi-crystals with well-defined crystallographic orientation. The obtained experimental results will be compared to Monte Carlo simulations done in a CEA Saclay lab (SRMP).
We are looking for an engineer with practical skills and who want to work in an experimental field. The PhD formation will allow the futur candidate to become researcher and thus contribute to the devleoppment of futur energies.
An internship of 6 month is proposed before the PhD.