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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Load-carrying capabilities of refractory alloys for space reactor power applications

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5913148
To achieve sufficient thermodynamic efficiency, space nuclear power systems must operate above 1000/sup 0/C. A quantitative evaluation of the existing mechanical properties data for the refractory alloys relevant to space nuclear power systems design lifetimes up to seven years at temperatures up to 1400/sup 0/C is being conducted. The most important properties for space nuclear power systems are long-term high-temperature (>1000/sup 0/C) creep strength and ductility, low-temperature (<400/sup 0/C) fracture toughness (including ductile-to-brittle transition temperature, (DBTT)), and ductility at high strain rates; of special concern are the above properties for weldments of refractory alloys, composition, applied stress, test temperature, test environment (e.g., vacuum, lithium), and thermomechanical treatment (TMT) history. Currently being evaluated are, in order of ascending mp, selected alloys of niobium (e.g., Nb-1% Zr, Nb-1% Zr-0.1% C), molybdenum (e.g., Mo-13% Re), tantalum (e.g., ASTAR-811C), and tungsten (e.g., CVD W and W-25% Re). Creep properties of these alloys have been correlated via Larson-Miller, Manson-Hafered, and other empirical parameters; creep equations have been developed from these correlations. 12 figs., 8 tabs.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5913148
Report Number(s):
CONF-850103-9; ON: DE85010566
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English