The Development of Nuclear Manufacturing Techniques for Nuclear Applications

Completed

Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Nuclear supporting technologies)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)

Not Cross-cutting

Dr BP Wynne
Engineering Materials
University of Sheffield

Standard

EPSRC

01 May 2013

30 April 2015

24 months

£171,384

Energy

Yorkshire & Humberside

Energy : Energy

Dr BP Wynne, Engineering Materials, University of Sheffield

The contribution from the University of Sheffield to the "The Development of Novel Manufacturing Techniques for NuclearApplications" project will be on the heat treatment simulator development and validation. This will be undertaken by DrsWynne and Jackson in collaboration an Advanced Metallis Systems Centre for Doctoral Training PhD Student, who will befinancially supported by Sheffield Forgemasters International Limited. Thus the aim of the project in its broadest sense is:Development of a novel test methodology for the rapid assessment of the suitability of materials and heat treatmentprocesses for large scale, structure critical forged components. This will be achieved by the following four work packages.Work Package 1: Validate large scale heat treatment machine within the capability of the industrial plant.This includes optimisation of temperature uniformity, temperature control and identifying heating and cooling rateconstraints inclusive of how sample size may influence this sensitivity. Furthermore material type sensitivity will beinvestigated from low carbon steels through to medium NiCrMo steels. (Wynne, Jackson, PhD student, SheffieldForgemasters)Work Package 2: Validate linkage between simulation and actual component. (PhD Student, Sheffield Forgemasters)This work package will compare and contrast simulated results, both mechanical and microstructure, with an actualcomponent. Extreme areas of the as-forged component will be investigated to ensure good variability coverage.Microstructure at levels above optical, i.e. precipitation density, will be taken thus requiring advanced characterisationmethods such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy.Work Package 3: Property prediction models (PhD Student)This work package will focus on developing property prediction models inclusive of the process windows of the plant bycombining thermodynamic modelling and transformation modelling with the data obtained from the machine.Work Package 4: Alternative materials and process routes (Wynne, Jackson, PhD Student, Sheffield Forgemasters)This work package focuses on suggesting alternative material and processing strategies leading to enhanced forging properties at reduced cost and energy used

19/03/13