Intelligent Integrated Machining: Handheld XRF for Mapping Zr Coating and Al-6061 Cladding Thickness in RERTR Fuel Elements

HPRR.01.02. 01.02.04.10 integrated intelligent machining: FY15 final report

“…In FY15, the main goal was to assist LANL plasma spray personnel in deploying the handheld XRF capability within LANL's plasma spray facility for process optimization and ultimately rapid spot-checking of plasma-sprayed MP-1 samples. Zr calibration foils of known thickness were loaned to plasma-spray personnel who then used their new Niton handheld XRF to acquire spectral data on Zr-coated stainless steel surrogates in accordance with the calibration method previously described [1]. IIM personnel analyzed the data and developed appropriate calibration curves based upon the Zr and Fe signals.…”

“…LANL was previously tasked with developing a non-destructive method to assess zirconium coating thickness on co-rolled U-10Mo foils. A technique based upon measuring the ratio of characteristic fluorescent x-rays from the Zr coating and the U-10Mo core was developed and successfully demonstrated on co-rolled and plasma-sprayed foils [1][2][3][4]. Since no two XRF instruments are precisely identical, calibration of each individual unit using a set of independently-measured Zr foil standards is necessary for reliable thickness measurement.…”

“…This method, which provides a relatively coarse estimate of cladding thickness, is appropriate for spot checking individual locations but is not easily amenable to full-plate scanning. 1 Ultrasonics was the second candidate method. A variety of different UT methods (contact, phased array, etc.)…”