Design of Steel Alloys for Industrial and Nuclear Applications

Abstract

In the present dissertation low activation austenitic stainless steels (low or free nickel) were fabricated and studied as developed low activation alloys for the nuclear reactor core as well as protective materials in harsh mediums. The main target of the studied alloys is to be applicable inside the core of fission and fusion reactors. The proposed sectors in fission reactors are fuel cladding, control rod cladding and inner layer of the reactor vessel, and piping. While the proposed sectors in magnetic fusion reactor are first wall and blanket. In this respect, new generations of low activation High Manganese (SSMn) and Manganese-Nitrogen (SSMnN) Stainless Steels were prepared and studied. The standard stainless steels SS304, SS304L, SS316L, and SS430 were fabricated and studied as reference materials. Metallurgical characteristics and attenuation properties of the investigated materials were examined using several techniques. The microstructure of the investigated stainless steel alloys was examined using Schaeffler diagram, optical microscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The obtained results revealed an austenite phase for high manganese and manganese-nitrogen stainless