Review of effects of long-term aging on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Types 304 and 316 stainless steel

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5393022

Horak, J A; Sikka, V K; Raske, D T

Because commercial liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR) are designed to last for 40 years or more, an understanding of the mechanical behavior of the structural alloys used in them is required for times on the order of 2.5 x 10/sup 5/ h (assuming a 70% availability factor). Types 304 and 316 stainless steel are used extensively in LMFBR systems. At the beginning of life these alloys are in a metastable state and evolve to a more stable state and, therefore, more stable microstructure during plant operation. Correlations of microstructures and mechanical properties during aging under representative LMFBR temperature and loading conditions are desirable from the standpoint of assuring safe, reliable, and economic plant operation. We reviewed the mechanical properties and microstructures of types 304 and 316 stainless steel wrought alloys after long-term aging in air for times up to 9 x 10/sup 4/ h (about 10-1/2 years). The principal effect of such aging is to reduce low temperature fracture toughness (as measured by Charpy impact test) and tensile ductility. Examples are cited, however, where, because stable microstructures are achieved, these as well as strength-related properties can be expected to remain adequate for anticipated service life conditions. 16 refs., 19 figs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5393022
• Report Number(s): CONF-850713-7; ON: DE85016472
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102 -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360103 -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
AGING
ALLOYS
BREEDER REACTORS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM STEELS
CHROMIUM-NICKEL STEELS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CREEP
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DEFORMATION
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FATIGUE
FBR TYPE REACTORS
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
NICKEL ALLOYS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
STAINLESS STEEL-304
STAINLESS STEEL-316
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
THERMAL FATIGUE
ULTIMATE STRENGTH
YIELD STRENGTH