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Long-Term Corrosion Tests of Prototypical SAM2X5 (Fe49.7Cr17.7Mn1.9Mo7.4W1.6B15.2C3.8Si2.4) Coatings

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1046800· OSTI ID:1046800
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  1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States)
  3. The NanoSteel Company, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
  4. Strategic Analysis, Arlington, VA (United States)
An iron-based amorphous metal with good corrosion resistance and a high absorption cross-section for thermal neutrons has been developed and is reported here. This amorphous alloy has the approximate formula Fe49.7Cr17.7Mn1.9Mo7.4W1.6B15.2C3.8Si2.4 and is known as SAM2X5. Chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) were added to provide corrosion resistance, while boron (B) was added to promote glass formation and the absorption of thermal neutrons. Since this amorphous metal has a higher boron content than conventional borated stainless steels, it provides the nuclear engineer with design advantages for criticality control structures with enhanced safety. While melt-spun ribbons with limited practical applications were initially produced, large quantities (several tons) of gas atomized powder have now been produced on an industrial scale, and applied as thermal-spray coatings on prototypical half-scale spent nuclear fuel containers and neutron-absorbing baskets. These prototypes and other SAM2X5 samples have undergone a variety of corrosion testing, including both salt-fog and long-term immersion testing. The modes and rates of corrosion have been determined in the various environments, and are reported here. While these coatings have less corrosion resistance than melt-spun ribbons and optimized coatings produced in the laboratory, substantial corrosion resistance has been achieved.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Civilian and Radioactive Waste Management; Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
1046800
Report Number(s):
UCRL--TR-230923
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English