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# The effects of hydrogen ion irradiation on mechanical properties of SiC-based materials using an MC40 cyclotron

Baldock, Philip Peter George (2015)
M.Res. thesis, University of Birmingham.

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## Abstract

An MC40 cyclotron was outfitted for performing focused ion beam exposure to materials that are being investigated for use in the nuclear industry. Apparatus in the form of a vacuum chamber with internal heating element and cooled aperture system was installed and used successfully. Several silicon carbide based materials were processed into samples and tested mechanically as received. Analogous samples were prepared and exposed to proton irradiation either as 1 μA per cm$$^2$$ for 5 hours in air at 400$$^o$$C, or 0.3 μA per cm$$^2$$ for 4 hours in vacuum at 85 $$^o$$C. After irradiation these were tested mechanically by the same methods as non-irradiated samples so that changes between non-irradiated and irradiated samples could be investigated. Computational models were constructed to estimate the temperatures reached in the samples during irradiation and the TRIM software was used to model displacement damage through the materials tested. Within the accuracy of the experiments performed, no significant change in flexural strength of composite materials was observed but a significant increase was found in the tensile strength of KD-1 fibres after irradiation.

Type of Work: M.Res. thesis. Connolly, Brian J. and Ponton, Clive B Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Engineering & Physical Sciences Department of Metallurgy and Materials QC PhysicsTN Mining engineering. Metallurgy University of Birmingham 5682
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