NSUF 19-2833: The influence of proton irradiation damage on the corrosion of Hastelloy N exposed to FliNaK molten salt

A complete understanding of the evolution of Hastelloy N under adverse conditions needed to confidently operate molten salt reactors (MSRs) for long-term industrial use has yet to be realized. The technical objective of this RTE is to investigate and quantify the effects of radiation-induced point defect and dislocation aggregation on the diffusion and corrosion behavior of Hastelloy N in fluoride molten salt environments. This will be accomplished using a sample irradiated with high-energy protons at Texas A&M University and subsequently exposing the sample to lithium-sodium-potassium fluoride eutectic (FLiNaK) salt at 700°C for 500 hours. After corrosion, changes to sample morphology and elemental distribution, as well as grain orientation characteristics, will be quantified. This will be accomplished using focused ion beam (FIB) for specimen preparation followed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM-EDS-EELS) and ASTAR technique available at INL. If successful, an understanding of the quantitative effect of increasing low-dose radiation damage on the morphology of Hastelloy N in corrosive FLiNaK salt environments will be achieved over the next nine months.

Additional Info

Field Value
Abstract A complete understanding of the evolution of Hastelloy N under adverse conditions needed to confidently operate molten salt reactors (MSRs) for long-term industrial use has yet to be realized. The technical objective of this RTE is to investigate and quantify the effects of radiation-induced point defect and dislocation aggregation on the diffusion and corrosion behavior of Hastelloy N in fluoride molten salt environments. This will be accomplished using a sample irradiated with high-energy protons at Texas A&M University and subsequently exposing the sample to lithium-sodium-potassium fluoride eutectic (FLiNaK) salt at 700°C for 500 hours. After corrosion, changes to sample morphology and elemental distribution, as well as grain orientation characteristics, will be quantified. This will be accomplished using focused ion beam (FIB) for specimen preparation followed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM-EDS-EELS) and ASTAR technique available at INL. If successful, an understanding of the quantitative effect of increasing low-dose radiation damage on the morphology of Hastelloy N in corrosive FLiNaK salt environments will be achieved over the next nine months.
Award Announced Date 2019-09-17T14:28:33.157
Awarded Institution None
Facility None
Facility Tech Lead Alina Zackrone, Lin Shao
Irradiation Facility Accelerator Laboratory
PI Andres Morell-Pacheco
PI Email [email protected]
Project Type RTE
RTE Number 2833