Active Student Research
Vikram Marthandam, Mechanical Engineering
702-235-4796
vikram@egr.unlv.edu
faculty: Dr. Ajit Roy
Fracture Toughness and Crack Growth Studies of Alloy 617.
started: Fall 2005
projected completion date: Spring 2008
Hours per week spent conducting research: 20
Description:
Due to the escalating cost of fossil fuels, the U.S. Department of Energy is considering the possibility of hydrogen production using a thermochemical process, known as sulfur-iodine (SI) cycle. Heat from a nuclear reactor will be used to accommodate chemical reactions involving the formation and decomposition of sulfuric acid, leading to the generation of oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. A maximum temperature of 950°C has been recommended to provide the maximum possible efficiency in hydrogen generation using the S-I process. The selection of a suitable structural material with superior mechanical properties and corrosion resistance poses a challenge to researchers.
Austenitic nickel base alloy 617 has been identified as a candidate target structural material in view its superior mechanical properties and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures. The tensile properties of this material have been evaluated at temperatures up to 1000°C. Currently, the state of the art direct current potential drop (DCPD) technique is being employed to evaluate the rate of crack propagation under the influence of a cyclic load. The reminder of my doctoral work will be focused on creep-fatigue, stress rupture studies and developing structure-property relationships based on the microstructural findings and mechanical properties.