Influence of gamma-ray irradiation on mechanical property of YSZ for oxygen sensors in ADS

Okubo, Nariaki   ; Okuno, Yasuki; Kitamura, Akane; Taguchi, Tomitsugu*

Accelerator driven system (ADS) adopts the lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) as both coolant and spallation target. The oxygen concentration control is one of the most important technical developments. Estimation of durability under gamma-ray irradiation for the oxygen sensor is necessary for the integrity evaluation of ADS components. The Zirconia added by Yttria (YSZ) is the main element in oxygen sensor. Effect of gamma-ray irradiation on the mechanical property and structural change for three types of YSZ with 3, 6, 8 mol% Yttria was evaluated by using 4 points bend test, XRD, SEM and Raman spectroscope. The gamma-ray irradiations were conducted at 1 and 2 kGy/h, which corresponded to the LBE activity after 1 year ADS operation. In the cases of 8Y and 6Y, degradation of strength was not measured and the fracture surface did not change the morphology. In the case of 3Y, however, the strength did not change but phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic crystal structure was observed in XRD results, depending on the irradiation dose. This implies that the gamma-ray irradiation causes the phase transformation in 3Y-YSZ.