June 15, 2015
Report

Rolling Process Modeling Report: Finite-Element Model Validation and Parametric Study on Various Rolling Process Parameters

Abstract

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been investigating manufacturing processes for the uranium-10% molybdenum alloy plate-type fuel for high-performance research reactors in the United States. This work supports the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Material Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program. This report documents modeling results of PNNL’s efforts to perform finite-element simulations to predict roll-separating forces for various rolling mill geometries for PNNL, Babcock & Wilcox Co., Y-12 National Security Complex, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Idaho National Laboratory. The model developed and presented in a previous report has been subjected to further validation study using new sets of experimental data generated from a rolling mill at PNNL. Simulation results of both hot rolling and cold rolling of uranium-10% molybdenum coupons have been compared with experimental results. The model was used to predict roll-separating forces at different temperatures and reductions for five rolling mills within the National Nuclear Security Administration Fuel Fabrication Capability project. This report also presents initial results of a finite-element model microstructure-based approach to study the surface roughness at the interface between zirconium and uranium-10% molybdenum.

Revised: July 10, 2015 | Published: June 15, 2015

Citation

Soulami A., C.A. Lavender, D.M. Paxton, and D. Burkes. 2015. Rolling Process Modeling Report: Finite-Element Model Validation and Parametric Study on Various Rolling Process Parameters Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.