On the use of non-destructive, gigahertz ultrasonics to rapidly screen irradiated steels for swelling resistance

Transient grating spectroscopy (TGS), a non-contact ultrasonic materials analysis technique, is proposed to rapidly and indirectly assess relative void swelling resistance of multiple structural materials. Statistically significant changes in the frequency of probed surface acoustic waves (SAWs) suggest that newly developed steels containing nanosized precipitates show higher resistance to void swelling when compared to their simpler, commercial analogues. The higher reduction in SAW frequency seen in the simpler steels, proportional to porosity, indicates more void formation which is directly validated by TEM examinations. This example illustrates the minimum set of targeted TGS studies required to quickly and inexpensively rank materials by relative void swelling resistance, and hence, accelerate materials development and characterization.

Automated summary

Transient grating spectroscopy (TGS) is proposed as a non-contact ultrasonic materials analysis technique to assess relative void swelling resistance of structural materials. The study shows that steels containing nanosized precipitates exhibit higher resistance to void swelling compared to simpler commercial analogues, as indicated by statistically significant changes in the frequency of surface acoustic waves (SAWs). Additionally, TGS can be used to quickly and inexpensively rank materials based on their relative void swelling resistance.