Mechanically Alloyed-Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Steels for Use in Space Nuclear Power Systems
- Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131 (United States)
The mechanical and thermo-physical properties of Mechanically Alloyed (MA)-Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steels are reviewed and their potential for use in space nuclear reactor power systems is examined. The three MA-ODS alloys examined are Inconel MA-ODS754 (77.55Ni, 20Cr, 1Fe, 0.5Ti, 0.3Al, 0.05C, and 0.6Y2O3), Incoloy MA-ODS956 (74.45Fe, 20Cr, 4.5Al, 0.5Ti, 0.05C, 0.5Y2O3), and Incoloy MA-ODS957 (84.55Fe, 14Cr, 0.3Mo, 0.9Ti, 0.25Y2O3). The major advantages of these alloys are: (a) their strength at high temperatures (>1000 K) is relatively higher and decreases slower with temperature than niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) refractory alloys; (b) they are relatively lightweight and less expensive; (c) they have been shown to experience low swelling and embrittlement with exposure to high-energy neutrons (> 0.1 MeV) up to a fluence of 1023 n/cm2; and (d) their high resistance to oxidation and nitration at high temperatures, which simplifies handling and assembly. These MS-ODS alloys are also lighter and much stronger than 316-stainless steel and super-alloys such as Inconel 601, Haynes 25, and Hastalloy-X at moderately high temperatures (688-1000 K). The little data available on the compatibility of the MA-ODS alloys with alkali liquid metals up to 1100 K are encouraging, however, additional tests at typical operation temperatures (1000-1400 K) in liquid metal cooled and alkali metal heat pipe-cooled space nuclear reactors are needed. The anisotropy of the MA-ODS alloys when cold worked, and in particularly when rolled into tubes, should not hinder their use in space nuclear power systems, in which the operation pressure is either near atmospheric or as high as 2 MPa.
- OSTI ID:
- 20632891
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 699, Issue 1; Conference: STAIF 2004: 21. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion: Human space exploration, space colonization, new frontiers and future concepts, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 8-11 Feb 2004; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1649648; (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
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ALLOY-NI61CR23FE14
DISPERSION HARDENING
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MOLYBDENUM
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NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems