Atomistic Models of Point Defects in Plutonium Metal

Abstract

The aging properties of plutonium (Pu) metal and alloys are. driven by a combination of materials composit ion, p rocessing history, and self-irradiat ion effects . Understanding these driving forces requires a knowledge of both t h ermodynamic and defect properties of the material . The multiplicity of phases and the small changes in tempe rat u re, pressure, and/or stress that can induce phase changes lie at the heart of these properties . In terms of radiation damage, Pu metal represents a unique situation because of the large volume chan ges that accompany the phase changes . The most workable form of the meta l is the fcc (S-) phase, which in practice is stabi l ized by addit io n of a ll oying el eme n ts s u c h as Ga or Al. The thermodynamically stable phase at ambient conditions is the monoclinic (a-) phase, which, however, is 2 0 % lower i n volume th an the S phase . In stabilized Pu metal, there is an in t er play between th e n atu ral swe l li n g tendencies of fcc metals and the volume-contraction tendency of the u n d erlyin g thermodynamicall y stable phase. This study exp lores the point d efect pr operties that are necessary to model the long-term outcome of this interplay.