Phase-field modeling of Mn-Ni-Si precipitate behavior on the bcc-Fe matrix

The formation of Mn-Ni-Si precipitate (hereafter MNS precipitate) is widely accepted by one of the main reasons of late stage hardening and embrittlement of Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) during nuclear power plant (NPP) operation. Since MNS precipitate is not considered in current regulatory model, this late stage hardening can be a limiting factor for life extension of nuclear power plants up to 80 or more years. The stability of the MNS precipitate was investigated from the thermodynamic view point and they concluded that MNS precipitate is a stable phase even with very little Cu contents, and they assessed UW1 thermodynamic database which can predict the thermodynamic stability of MNS precipitate at operating temperature of NPP ( ∼ 290 .deg. C). Based on the non-classical nucleation theory, we performed the phase-field modeling of nucleation and growth of MNS precipitate. The microstructure evolution of Mn-Ni-Cu precipitate has been simulated using the phase-field method and their approaches are focused on a role of the Cu contents. Also, a role of the interstitial loop on the nucleation and growth kinetics of MNS precipitate was analyzed.