High temperature zirconium alloys for fusion energy

King, D.J.M.; Knowles, Alexander J.; Bowden, David; Wenman, M.R.; Samuel, C.; Gorley, Michael; Shimwell, Jonathan; Packer, L.W.; Gilbert, Frédéric; Harte, Allan

doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2021.153431

Cited by 40 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 166 publications

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“…Zirconium alloys have attracted great attention and are used as fuel cladding tubes in nuclear reactors due to their low thermal neutron cross-section, excellent corrosion resistance, remarkable irradiation-induced creep, swelling resistance, and good compatibility with uranium [1][2][3][4][5]. During use in a reactor, the microstructure and properties of zirconium alloys deteriorate because of the high temperature, high pressure, stress, corrosive medium, and especially strong neutron irradiation, which directly affect the service lifetime and, therefore, the safe operation of nuclear power plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Niobium on the Mechanical and Thermodynamic Properties of Zirconium Alloys

Kong,

Kuang,

et al. 2024

Metals

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The alloy element Nb plays an important role in improving the performance of zirconium alloys in nuclear reactors. The effect mechanism of Nb doping on mechanical and thermodynamic properties was investigated using experimental and theoretical methods. The results of this study showed us that Nb doping refines grains and enhances hardness. The hardness increases from 2.67 GPa of pure Zr to 2.99 GPa of Zr1.5Nb. Depending on the first-principles calculations, the hardness decreases with the increase in the Nb concentration in the Zr matrix, namely from 2.45 Gpa of pure Zr to 1.78 GPa of Zr1.5Nb. If the first-principles calculations indicate that the hardness decreases with the increase in the Nb concentration in the Zr matrix, grain refinement or defects could play a major role in the increase in hardness. Furthermore, regarding the effect of Nb doping on thermal expansion coefficients, the increase in Nb content causes the thermal expansion coefficients to decrease, which might stem from the strong binding energy between Nb and Zr atoms. The thermal conductivities of three samples show similar changing trends, indicating that thermal conductivity begins to decrease at room temperature and reaches a minimum value of around 400 °C. The thermal conductivity of pure zirconium samples is consistently higher, is more obvious than that of Nb-doped samples in the test range, and decreases with an increase in the doping concentration. The possible reasons for this might stem from the distortion of the Zr matrix due to Nb substitution doping and grain refinement, both of which cause phonon propagation scattering and thus hinder the propagation of phonons. The results obtained herein may be useful for the development of advanced nuclear fuels and waste forms that utilize zirconium in applications beyond their current usage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Niobium on the Mechanical and Thermodynamic Properties of Zirconium Alloys

Kong,

Kuang,

et al. 2024

Metals

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“…Zirconium is known to have a very good resistance to corrosion and generally Zr-substitutions are elaborated on matrix-confined metallic structures regarding the wide range of physical properties that it can afford to the final material [1][2][3]. Several Zirconium based minerals are biocompatible (body implants) and furthermore Zircaloys can be used for high temperature applications (energy conversion) or ceramic materials due to their hard refractory properties (High Density Composites) giving excellent stability when exposed to aggressive chemicals [4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical Alloying Synthesis of AB3 Zirconium Substituted Intermetallic

Jaafar,

Slama,

Sahli

et al. 2024

Teh. glas. (Online)

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Several ternary RareEarth-Magnesium-Nickel intermetallics (RE-Mg-Ni) emerged in last decade for their specific hydrogen storage capability. Nickel is now considered among strategic metals with recurrent rising price, Magnesium although its good gravimetric facility suffers from frequent oxidation or irreversible poisoning. Zirconium alloys are recognized for their improved anti-corrosion properties with enhanced wear resistance for high temperature machinability in industrial applications or energy research purposes. We proposed in this paper double substitution possibility replacing Magnesium and reducing Nickel charge. We developed new generation of quaternary Zirconium-AB3 intermetallic LaZr2Ni5Al4 using mechanical alloying method. Two binary raw materials are involved in this alloying reaction, the first is LaNi5 and the second is ZrAl2 (Laves phase C14) and both precursors are achieved quasi-quantitively using high frequency induction melting. The final target AB3 compound crystallizes in Trigonal system with space group R-3m (166) and following experimental conditions (Fritsch P7, Ω = 450 rpm) an acceptable synthesis yield (>80%) is obtained starting from 20 hours mechanical alloying. Rietveld refinement is performed to have real matrix parameters and AB3 powder surface is analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy.

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“…[ 2,3 ] N36 zirconium alloy developed in China has significantly better performance in terms of corrosion resistance, mechanics, and hydrogen absorption than traditional zirconium alloys, which is often used to manufacture cladding materials, pressure tubes, brackets, and other devices for nuclear reactor fuel elements. [ 4–6 ] Under harsh conditions such as high temperature and pressure in reactors, there are high requirements for the comprehensive performance of Zr–Sn–Nb–Fe alloy, which is affected by the deformation conditions and microstructure during the hot working process. Therefore, it is crucial to study the thermal deformation behavior of N36 zirconium alloy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deformation Behavior and Microstructural Evolution of Zr–Sn–Nb–Fe Alloy over a Wide Temperature Range Based on the Law of Mixture

Li,

Wang,

Guo

et al. 2023

Adv Eng Mater

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Isothermal compression experiments were conducted on Zr‐Sn‐Nb‐Fe alloy at temperature ranging from 873K to 1273K and strain rates ranging from 0.01s‐1 to 1s‐1. The deformation behavior and microstructure evolution were analyzed. The results show that the influence of α phase on the flow stress is more significant than β phase, which shows a stronger phase sensitivity. At low strain rates in the α phase temperature region (873K), the dominant softening mechanism is dynamic recovery, while at high strain rates, it controlled by dynamic recrystallization. The dual‐phase temperature region (973K∽1173K) undergoes the dynamic recrystallization of α and α→β phase transformation. The dynamic recrystallization of β occurs in the β phase temperature region (1213K∽1273K). Finally, by considering the phase composition and phase sensitivity differences, a unified constitutive model of N36 zirconium alloy from 873K to 1273K is established whose AARE is 7% and R is 0.9906.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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High temperature zirconium alloys for fusion energy

Cited by 40 publications

References 166 publications

The Effect of Niobium on the Mechanical and Thermodynamic Properties of Zirconium Alloys

The Effect of Niobium on the Mechanical and Thermodynamic Properties of Zirconium Alloys

Mechanical Alloying Synthesis of AB3 Zirconium Substituted Intermetallic

Deformation Behavior and Microstructural Evolution of Zr–Sn–Nb–Fe Alloy over a Wide Temperature Range Based on the Law of Mixture

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