Densification and microstructure features of lithium hydride fabrication. (1st June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bustillos, Christian G.; King, Gabriella; Yang, Qirong; Baumer, Teresa; Sio, Corliss Kin I.; Bora, Mihail; Root, Jaben R.; Kuntz, Joshua D.; Du Frane, Wyatt L.
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 185(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06-01
• Subjects: Lithium Hydride -- Sintering -- Densification -- Ceramic; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2023.109709
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Highlights: Densification of LiH across a broad range of conditions is presented. An activation energy of 21.2 kJ/mol was determined for the uniaxially heated pressing of LiH. The presence of LiOH contributes to drastic grain coarsening when LiH is uniaxially pressed at 500 °C. Abstract: The manufacturing of lithium hydride (LiH) utilizing uniaxial pressing, which offers fabrication with tailorable properties via microstructure control, can lead to the expansion in application of LiH while bypassing the challenges presented by historical casting manufacturing techniques. Through control of consolidation conditions such as pressure, temperature, dwell time and powder load, the presented work highlights the densification of LiH, with an emphasis on quantifying oxygen content, for applications requiring a specific density range necessary for optimized material performance. Karl Fischer Titration and X-ray Diffraction proved useful in determining oxygen and phase content while Computed Tomography and Scanning Electron Microscopy provided structural analysis. The temperature dependent densification of LiH fit with an Arrhenius term resulted in an activation energy of 21.2 kJ/mol. Images of fractured surfaces of LiH pressed at 500 °C revealed drastic grain coarsening, aided by the presence of oxygen impurities.