How to model microstructure in FeCr under and out of irradiation: a phase field approach

Faced with major societal challenges (ecological crisis, energy crisis), it is essential to better understand the behaviour of materials in order to improve the lifespan of nuclear reactors as well as their safety. The properties of materials are dictated by their microstructure, so innovation requires knowledge of the microstructures of materials. With the increase in computing power, numerical simulation methods can be used to test theoretical models of microstructure formation under and outside irradiation. Among these methods, the phase field approach is proving very promising. It bypasses the limitations of atomistic methods (ab initio, molecular dynamics) and, thanks to its deep theoretical foundations, provides a useful guide for engineers. This presentation aims to present the fundamentals of phase field methods and their applications to simulate the complex nucleation process in the FeCr alloy under and without irradiation.