Abstract
A multi-scale finite element method is developed to simulate the irradiation process and postirradiation uniaxial tensile tests for metal-matrix composite fuels with representative volume elements (RVEs). The simulations of irradiation process are implemented under a wide range of burnup levels, with the irradiation effects on the mechanical constitutive relations of fuel particles and matrix taken into account comprehensively. The simulation results for the macroscopic postirradiation true stress/strain curves are obtained, excluding the irradiation-induced macroscopic deformations. The effects of particle fission density, temperature, and initial particle volume fraction are investigated and analyzed. The research results indicate that 1) a quasi-elastic stage appears during the postirradiation tension, which is mainly induced by the creation of high residual compressive stresses in the particles and matrix after irradiation; 2) with the increase of effective strains, new plastic deformations increase in the particles and matrix to result in the macroscale plastic stage; 3) the macroscale irradiation softening and hardening phenomena appear, which mainly stem from the weakened deformation resistance by the irradiation-induced plastic deformations in the matrix, the enlarged particle volume fraction after irradiation, and the irradiation hardening effects of metal matrix.
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