Abstract
Transient grating spectroscopy (TGS), a non-contact ultrasonic materials analysis technique, is proposed to rapidly and indirectly assess relative void swelling resistance of multiple structural materials. Statistically significant changes in the frequency of probed surface acoustic waves (SAWs) suggest that newly developed steels containing nanosized precipitates show higher resistance to void swelling when compared to their simpler, commercial analogues. The higher reduction in SAW frequency seen in the simpler steels, proportional to porosity, indicates more void formation which is directly validated by TEM examinations. This example illustrates the minimum set of targeted TGS studies required to quickly and inexpensively rank materials by relative void swelling resistance, and hence, accelerate materials development and characterization.
•Using the TGS technique to quickly reveal void swelling rapidly and non-destructively.•Sensing changes in SAWs frequency has shown the advanced steels possess higher resistance to void swelling compared to the reference steels.•The TEM examinations have confirmed the TGS findings on the void swelling resistance of the reference and advanced steels.•This finding open the doors for extending the range of applicability of TGS technique in quickly and indirectly revealing irradiation defects.