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In a pre-demonstrated study in the Journal of Nuclear Materials, freshly fabricated austenitic stainless steel with evenly distributed nanosized NbC precipitates (ARES-6) and conventional 316 stainless steel were examined under heavy ion irradiation. Post-swelling behavior to compare the benefits of ARES-6.
Study: Swelling resistance of austenitic stainless steel with evenly distributed nanoscale NbC precipitates under heavy ion irradiation. Image credit: Parilov/Shutterstock.com
Austenitic stainless steels (SS) are commonly used as fabricated internal components in modern light water reactors where they are exposed to high radiation fluxes.
The change in the morphology of austenitic stainless steels upon neutron capture adversely affects such physical parameters as radiation hardening and thermal decomposition. Deformation cycles, porosity, and excitation are examples of radiation-induced microstructure evolution commonly found in austenitic stainless steels.
In addition, austenitic stainless steel is subject to radiation-induced vacuum expansion, which can lead to potentially lethal destruction of reactor core components. Thus, innovations in modern nuclear reactors with longer life and higher productivity require the use of complex assemblies that can withstand more radiation.
Since the early 1970s, many methods have been proposed for the development of radioactive materials. As part of efforts to improve radiation efficiency, the role of the main aspects of vacuum expansion elasticity has been studied. But even so, because high nickel austenitic stainless steels are very susceptible to radiation embrittlement due to helium droplet deformation, low austenite stainless steels cannot guarantee adequate corrosion protection under corrosive conditions. There are also some limitations to improve radiation efficiency by tuning the alloy configuration.
Another approach is to include various microstructural features that can act as drainage points for point failures. Sink can contribute to the absorption of radiation-induced intrinsic defects, delaying the formation of holes and displacement circles created by the grouping of vacancies and gaps.
Numerous dislocations, tiny precipitates, and granular structures have been proposed as absorbers that could improve radiation efficiency. The dynamic velocity conceptual design and several observational studies have revealed the benefits of these microstructural features in suppressing void expansion and reducing radiation-induced component separation. However, the gap gradually heals under the influence of radiation and does not fully perform the function of a drainage point.
The researchers recently produced austenitic stainless steel with a comparable proportion of nano-niobium carbide precipitates uniformly dispersed in the matrix using an industrial steelmaking process that was later named ARES-6.
Most precipitates are expected to provide sufficient sink sites for radiation intrinsic defects, thereby increasing the radiation efficiency of ARES-6 alloys. However, the presence of microscopic precipitates of niobium carbide does not provide the expected properties of radiation resistance based on the framework.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the positive effect of small niobium carbides on expansion resistance. Dose rate effects related to the longevity of nanoscale pathogens during heavy ion bombardment have also been investigated.
To investigate the increase in gap, a newly produced ARES-6 alloy with uniformly dispersed niobium nanocarbides excited industrial steel and bombarded it with 5 MeV nickel ions. The following conclusions are based on swelling measurements, nanometer electron microscopy microstructure studies, and drop strength calculations.
Among the microstructural properties of ARES-6P, the high concentration of nanoniobium carbide precipitates is the most important reason for the increased elasticity during swelling, although the high concentration of nickel also plays a role. Given the high frequency of displacements, ARES-6HR exhibited an expansion comparable to ARES-6SA, suggesting that, despite the increased strength of the tank structure, displacement in ARES-6HR alone cannot provide an effective drainage site.
After bombardment with heavy ions, the nanoscale quasi-crystalline nature of the precipitates of niobium carbide is destroyed. As a result, when using the heavy ion bombardment facility used in this work, most of the pre-existing pathogens in non-irradiated samples gradually dissipated in the matrix.
Although the drainage capacity of ARES-6P is expected to be three times that of 316 stainless steel plate, the measured increase in expansion is approximately seven times.
The dissolution of precipitates of niobium nanocarbide upon exposure to light explains the large discrepancy between the expected and actual swelling resistance of ARES-6P. However, nanoniobium carbide crystallites are expected to be more durable at lower dose rates, and the expansion elasticity of ARES-6P will be greatly improved in the future under normal nuclear power plant conditions.
Shin, JH, Kong, BS, Jeong, C., Eom, HJ, Jang, C., & AlMousa, N. (2022). Shin, JH, Kong, BS, Jeong, C., Eom, HJ, Jang, C., & AlMousa, N. (2022). Shin, J. H., Kong, B. S., Chon, K., Eom, H. J., Jang, K., & Al-Musa, N. (2022). Shin, JH, Kong, BS, Jeong, C., Eom, HJ, Jang, C., & AlMousa, N. (2022)。 Shin, JH, Kong, BS, Jeong, C., Eom, HJ, Jang, C., & AlMousa, N. (2022)。 Shin, J. H., Kong, B. S., Chon, K., Eom, H. J., Jang, K., & Al-Musa, N. (2022). Swelling resistance of austenitic stainless steel with evenly distributed nanosized NbC precipitates under irradiation with heavy ions. Journal of Nuclear Materials. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022311522001714?via%3Dihub.
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Shahir graduated from the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of the Islamabad Institute of Space Technology. He has done extensive research in aerospace instruments and sensors, computational dynamics, aerospace structures and materials, optimization techniques, robotics, and clean energy. Last year he worked as a freelance consultant in the field of aerospace engineering. Technical writing has always been Shahir’s forte. Whether he wins awards in international competitions or wins local writing competitions, he excels. Shahir loves cars. From Formula 1 racing and reading automotive news to kart racing, his life revolves around cars. He is passionate about his sport and always tries to find time for it. Squash, football, cricket, tennis and racing are his hobbies that he enjoys spending time with.
Hot sweat, Shahr. (March 22, 2022). The swelling resistance of a new nanomodified reactor alloy has been analyzed. AZonano. Retrieved September 11, 2022 from https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38861.
Hot sweat, Shahr. “Swelling Resistance Analysis of New Nano-Modified Reactor Alloys”. AZonano. September 11, 2022 . September 11, 2022 .
Hot sweat, Shahr. “Swelling Resistance Analysis of New Nano-Modified Reactor Alloys”. AZonano. https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38861. (As of September 11, 2022).
Hot sweat, Shahr. 2022. Swelling resistance analysis of new reactor nanomodified alloys. AZoNano, accessed 11 September 2022, https://www.azonano.com/news.aspx?newsID=38861.
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