In Situ Study of Structure and Fracture Mechanisms in Polygranular Ti- and Cr- MAX-Phases

This proposal focuses on an in-situ study of Ti- and Cr-MAX-Phases, complex metal-ceramic materials with potential applications in Gen-IV reactor systems. These MAX-Phases possess a unique hexagonal-layered structure and excellent machinability, corrosion resistance, and radiation-induced crack healing properties. The study aims to investigate the response of industrially-producible multi-phase MAX-Phases to stress and temperature conditions typical of their proposed operational environments. Neutron diffraction and Digital Image Correlation will be used to identify phase constituents and understand their crystallographic deformation mechanisms. This will chiefly provide insights into the effects of turbostratic layering on diffraction spectra, necessary for the development of Rietveld refinement for layered materials such as MAX-Phases and graphite.