Grain size measurement using a semi-automatic calculation tool

by

Grain size measurement using a semi-automatic calculation tool

Fatah Mernache, Abdelaziz Sehisseh, Amina Amrane, Said Hadji, Yasmine Melhani, Mohamed Grine, Lakhdar Messai

Warsaw University of Technology, Institute of Manufacturing Technologies, Warsaw, Poland.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7494/cmms.2023.1.0803

Abstract:

This paper focuses on the development of a semi-automatic calculation tool to measure the Mean Linear Intercept (MLI) grain size of ceramics and other materials.
The calculation tool was first verified and validated by using a certified micro-ruler and literature microstructures. It was then used to investigate the grain growth of UO2 pellets elaborated under different conditions. The tool offers the advantage of accuracy as well as the ability to quantify microstructures obtained with poor image quality. The estimated measurement errors were found to be less than 1 μm.
The developed tool, mainly for the purpose of time-saving, allowed us to follow the microstructure (grain size) evolution of the elaborated UO2 fuel with different additives.

Cite as:

Mernache, F., Sehisseh, A., Amrane, A., Hadji, S., Melhani, Y., Grine, M., & Messai, L. (2023). Grain size measurement using a semi-automatic calculation tool. Computer Methods in Materials Science, 23(1), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.7494/cmms.2023.1.0803

Article (PDF):

Keywords:

Image analysis, Grain size, Calculator tool, Microstructure

References:

Abrams, H. (1971). Grain size measurement by the intercept method. Metallography, 4(1), 59–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/0026-0800(71)90005-X.

Arnould, X., Coster, M., Chermant, J.L., Chermant, L., Chartier, T., & Elmoataz, A. (2001). Segmentation and grain size of ceramics. Image Analysis & Stereology, 20(3), 131–135. https://doi.org/10.5566/ias.v20.p131-135.

ASTM C1868-18 (2018). Standard Practice for Ceramographic Preparation of UO2 and Mixed Oxide (U,Pu)O2 Pellets for Microstructural Analysis.

ASTM E112-13 (2013). Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size.

ASTM E1382-97 (2015). Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size Using Semi-automatic and Automatic Image Analysis.

ASTM E3-11 (2017). Standard Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens.

Ben Saada, M. (2017). Étude du comportement visco-plastique du dioxyde d’uranium. Quantification par analyse EBSD et ECCI des effets liés aux conditions de sollicitation et à la microstructure initiale [Ph.D. Thesis, University of Lorraine]. http://www.theses.fr/2017LORR0270.

Bourgeois, L., Dehaudt, P., Lemaignan, C., & Hammou, A. (2001). Factors governing microstructure development of Cr2O3-doped UO2 during sintering. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 297(3), 313–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3115(01)00626-2.

Dortmans, L.J.M.G., Morrell, R., & With, G., de (1993). Round robin on grain size measurement for advanced technical ceramics. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 12(3), 205–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/0955-2219(93)90122-8.

Gonzaga, R., Da Silva Gonçalves, J., Matos, C.A., de, & Souza Motta, E., de (2008). Study of the microstructural variations (average grain size) on UO2 pellets in relation to the Si and Al contents, in production scale. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237612197_Study_of_the_microstructural_variations_average_grain_size_on_UO_2_pellets_in_relation_to_the_Si_and_Al_contents_in_production_scale.

Hastings, I.J. (1983). Effect of initial grain size on fission gas release from irradiated UO2 fuel. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 66(9), c150–c151. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1983.tb10620.x.

Heyn, E. (1903). Short reports from the Metallurgical Laboratory of the Royal Mechanical and Testing Institute of Charlottenburg. The Metallographist, 5, 39–64.

Higginson, R.L., & Sellars, C.M. (2003). Worked Examples in Quantitative Metallography. Maney.

Koskenniska, S., Seppälä, O., & Kömi, J. (2020). A study on grain growth using a novel grain size calculation tool. Procedia Manufacturing, 50, 684–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2020.08.123.

Milena-Pérez, A., Bonales, L.J., Rodríguez-Villagra, N., Fernández, S., Baonza, V.G., & Cobos, J. (2021). Raman spectroscopy coupled to principal component analysis for studying UO2 nuclear fuels with different grain sizes due to the chromia addition. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 543, 152581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152581.

Song, K.W., Kim, K.S., Kim, Y.M., & Jung, Y.H. (2000). Sintering of mixed UO2 and U3O8 powder compacts. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 277(2–3), 123–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3115(99)00212-3.

Turnbull, J.A. (1974). The effect of grain size on the swelling and gas release properties of UO2 during irradiation. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 50(1), 62–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3115(74)90061-0.

Une, K., Kashibe, S., & Ito, K. (1993). Fission gas behavior during post-irradiation annealing of large grained UO2 fuels irradiated to 23 GWd/t. Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 30(3), 221–231. https://doi.org/10.1080/18811248.1993.9734473.

Vander Voort, G.F. (1993). Examination of some grain size measurement problems. In G.F. Vander Voort, F.J. Warmuth, S.M. Purdy, A. Szirmae (Eds.), Metallography: Past, present, and future. 75th anniversary volume (pp. 266–294). American Society for Testing and Materials.

White, R.J. (1997). Equi-axed and columnar grain growth hi UO2. In Water Reactor Fuel Element Modeling at High Burnup and its Experimental Support. Proceedings of a Technical Committee Meeting Held in Windermere, United Kingdom, 19–23 September 1994 (pp. 419–427). IAEA-TECDOC-957. International Atomic Energy Agency.

Yang, J.H., Kim, K.S., Nam, I.H., Oh, J.S., Kim, D.J., Rhee, Y.W., & Kim, J.H. (2012). Effect of stepwise variation of oxygen potential during the isothermal sintering on the grain growth behavior in Cr2O3 doped UO2 pellets. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 429(1–3), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2012.05.034.

Zhong, Y., Gao, R., Li, B., Yang, Z., Huang, Q., Wang, Z., Duan, L., Liu, X., Chu, M., Zhang, P., Bail, B., Wang, Y., Cheng, L., Yan, B., Liu, T., & Li, R. (2021). Preparation and characterization of large grain UO2 for accident tolerant fuel. Frontiers in Materials, 8, 651074. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2021.651074.