arXiv subjects

Hamdy Arkoub

Publications and source records attributed to Hamdy Arkoub.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Atomistic mechanism of corrosion-induced grain boundary migration in NiCr alloys in molten FLiNaK

Corrosion of Ni-Cr structural alloys in molten fluoride salts is a persistent material degradation problem, yet the atomistic role of grain boundaries in this process remains poorly understood. Here we use reactive molecular dynamics to investigate corrosion of NiCr alloys in molten FLiNaK across four representative grain boundaries ($\Sigma3(111)$, $\Sigma11(113)$, $\Sigma5(012)$, and $\Sigma5(013)$) and corresponding bulk surfaces. Surface crystallography controls the initial dissolution stage, while grain boundary character governs the spatial localization and longer-time evolution of corrosion. We further identify a corrosion-driven grain boundary migration mechanism in which fluorine localization, preferential chromium dissolution, and vacancy-mediated mobility together drive interfacial motion away from the dealloyed region. The coherent $\Sigma3(111)$ boundary suppresses these processes, indicating low-energy special boundaries as targets for grain boundary engineering of corrosion-resistant Ni-Cr alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Electric-field effects on defect migration energetics in GaN

A predictive understanding of defect transport in GaN under operating electric fields is critical for assessing device reliability in high-power and radiation environments. In this work, a ReaxFF reactive force field for GaN is developed using a density-functional-theory training set that includes structural, thermodynamic, and defect properties. The force field yields various properties such as lattice parameters, cohesive energies, and defect formation and migration energies in close agreement with prior first-principles and experimental results. Under externally applied electric fields, we find that migration barriers can be strongly modulated, with changes that depend on defect type and field orientation. Notably, the electric fields do not simply linearly bias defect motion in GaN, but can anisotropically modify migration barriers through charge-lattice coupling, leading to nonlinear transport behavior. The response arises from field-induced partial charge redistribution and local lattice distortion. These results demonstrate that electric fields can complexly modify the defect migration landscape, providing new insight into defect transport in GaN under high-field conditions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Atomistic Mechanisms of Stress-Dependent Molten Salt Corrosion in NiCr Alloys

Ni-based structural alloys in molten salt environments often experience simultaneous mechanical loading and corrosive attack, yet the mechanisms governing stress-corrosion interactions remain unclear. Prior studies largely emphasize tensile stress, while the role of compressive stress has received limited attention. Here, reactive molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the coupled effects of applied strain and corrosion in Ni$_{0.75}$Cr$_{0.25}$ exposed to molten FLiNaK at 800$^\circ$C. A $\Sigma5(210)$ grain boundary model is subjected to tensile (+4%) to compressive (-4%) uniaxial strains, and corrosion behavior is evaluated through fluorine adsorption, charge redistribution, and grain boundary evolution. Tensile strain accelerates intergranular corrosion by reducing local atomic packing through elastic dilation and increasing excess free volume at the grain boundary, which enhances atomic mobility and salt infiltration. In contrast, compressive strain suppresses corrosion by promoting the formation of a ridge-like surface layer along the grain boundary, limiting salt access to the underlying alloy. These results provide atomistic insight into how stress states influence grain boundary corrosion in molten salts.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Percolating Corrosion Pathways of Chemically Ordered NiCr Alloys in Molten Salts

Recent experiments have shown that chemical ordering in NiCr alloys can significantly accelerate corrosion in molten salt environments. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using reactive molecular dynamics and first-principles calculations, we show that long-range ordered Ni$_2$Cr in Ni-33at.%Cr alloys corrodes far more rapidly in FLiNaK salt at 800{\deg}C than short-range ordered or random solid solutions. This accelerated attack originates from percolating Cr pathways that enhance near-surface diffusion and a lowered energetic barrier for Cr dissolution, as confirmed by first-principles calculations. Contrary to earlier explanations that attributed this behavior to residual stresses, our stress-free simulations demonstrate that ordering alone accelerates the degradation. These results establish percolation as a critical link between chemical ordering and corrosion kinetics, offering a mechanistic basis for experimental observations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Surface Orientation-dependent Corrosion Behavior of NiCr Alloys in Molten FLiNaK Salt

The corrosion behavior of NiCr alloys in molten FLiNaK salt is governed by complex Cr-F chemical interactions, necessitating a fundamental understanding for enhancing alloy performance in harsh environments. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the dynamic atomic-scale processes driving the progression of molten salt corrosion. This study employs reactive force field-based molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the influence of crystallographic orientation, temperature, and external electric fields on corrosion kinetics. The (100), (110), and (111) orientations of Ni$\mathrm{_{0.75}}$Cr$\mathrm{_{0.25}}$ alloys are evaluated at temperatures from 600 to 800{\deg}C, with and without electric fields. Results reveal that Cr dissolution and near-surface diffusion drive pitting-like surface morphology evolution. The (110) surface shows the highest corrosion susceptibility, while the (100) and (111) surfaces exhibit greater resistance, with (111) being the most stable. The corrosion activation energy, derived from the Arrhenius relation, ranges from 0.27 eV to 0.41 eV, aligning well with limited experimental data yet significantly lower than bulk diffusion barriers. This finding indicates that corrosion progression is primarily a kinetically controlled near-surface process, rather than being limited by bulk diffusion as suggested in previous understanding. Additionally, electric fields perpendicular to the interface are found to asymmetrically modulate corrosion dynamics, where a positive field (+0.10 V/{\AA}) promotes Cr dissolution. In comparison, a negative field (-0.10 V/{\AA}) largely suppresses corrosion, which can be effectively used to mitigate corrosion. These findings, along with atomistic details into the corrosion mechanisms, offer strategic perspectives for designing corrosion-resistant materials in advanced high-temperature molten salt applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

First-Principles Investigation of Grain Boundary Effects on Fluorine-Induced Initial Corrosion of NiCr Alloys

Chromium depletion at grain boundaries (GBs) due to selective attack is a critical issue in the molten salt corrosion of NiCr alloys. Despite the importance of GBs in this process from numerous experimental studies, most theoretical work has predominantly focused on fluorine interactions with idealized crystalline surfaces, neglecting the complexity of GB local environments. This study aims to bridge that gap by employing density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the atomic interactions and Cr dissolution mechanisms at GB in NiCr alloys under molten fluoride salt environments. Specifically, a $\Sigma$5(210)/(001) symmetrical tilt GB is constructed to explore the adsorption energies of fluorine on Ni(100) and Cr-doped Ni(100) surfaces. We find that fluorine exhibits a strong preference for binding at GB sites, with Cr doping amplifying this effect, leading to higher adsorption energies compared to bulk Ni surfaces. Fluorine bonding with Cr significantly alters the interaction between Cr-F complexes and Ni substrate, and the consequent dissolution barriers for Cr atoms; the formation of CrF$_3$ largely reduces the energy barrier for Cr dissolution. This work highlights the essential role of GBs in enhancing fluorine adsorption and accelerating Cr depletion, providing new insights into the mechanisms of early-stage corrosion in NiCr alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

A Reactive Force Field Approach to Modeling Corrosion of NiCr Alloys in Molten FLiNaK Salts

The interface between NiCr alloys and FLiNaK molten salt exhibits complex corrosion behavior, mainly driven by intricate chemical interactions involving Cr and F$\mathrm{^-}$ ions. Understanding these dynamic reactions is crucial for developing effective corrosion mitigation strategies to ensure the long-term durability of Ni-based alloy components in molten salt technologies. However, obtaining molecular-level understanding through experiments is challenging. To address this, we utilize reactive molecular dynamics simulations enabled by a reactive force field, ReaxFF, to investigate detailed reaction dynamics at the atomic level. Since there is currently no available force field involving fluoride salt and Ni-based alloys, we first present the development of the ReaxFF parameter set for Ni/Cr/F/Li/Na/K based on extensive first-principles calculations. With this force field, we achieve a strong agreement for the structure of FLiNaK molten salt by comparing the pair distribution functions with experimental and simulation results. Furthermore, it successfully reproduces the experimental phenomenon of Cr dissolution in fluoride salt, with the corrosion rate depending on the alloy and salt compositions. Particularly, it reveals that increasing the concentration of Li can enhance the formation of a compact double layer, mitigating Cr dissolution. This work enables a fundamental understanding of the interfacial behavior between fluoride salt and NiCr alloys.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Impact of chemical short-range order on radiation damage in Fe-Ni-Cr alloys

Chemical short-range order (CSRO), a form of nanoscale special atom arrangement, has been found to significantly alter material properties such as dislocation motion and defect dynamics in various alloys. Here, we use Fe-Ni-Cr alloys to demonstrate how CSRO affects defect properties and radiation behavior, based on extensive molecular dynamics simulations. Statistically significant results are obtained regarding radiation-induced defect propensity, defect clustering, and chemical mixing as a function of dose for three CSRO levels. The perfect random solution as an energetically unfavorable state (negative stacking fault energy) shows the strongest tendency to enable diffusion, while a high CSRO degree scenario generally reduces the effective defect diffusivity due to trapping effects, leading to distinct defect dynamics. Notably, in the high-CSRO scenario, interstitial clusters are Cr-rich and interstitial loops preferentially reside in/near the Cr-rich CSRO domains. It is also identified that CSRO is dynamically evolving in a decreasing or increasing manner upon continuous irradiation, reaching a steady-state value. These new understandings suggest the importance of incorporating the effect of CSRO in investigating radiation-driven microstructural evolution.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗