NSUF 26-5606: Evaluating the radiation-corrosion stability of Ni2(Cr, Mo, W) domains in chloride molten salts

The goal of this project is to investigate the radiation-corrosion behavior of hardenable Ni-Mo-W-based alloys for structural materials used in advanced molten salt reactor (MSR) designs. We propose 2 MeV proton irradiation of Haynes 244 (Ni-23Mo-8Cr-6W) to 2 dpa followed by exposure to eutectic NaCl-MgCl2 molten salts at 650 °C to evaluate its potential for primary salt-facing components in MSRs. Additional diffraction and microscopic characterizations will evaluate its microstructural evolution after irradiation and salt exposure, particularly focusing on the stability of its γ’’’ – Ni2(Cr, Mo, W) domains, which are predicted to govern its high temperature strength and corrosion resistance. The results of this proposed work will reveal the radiation and molten salt stability of the γ’’’ phase and may incentivize new classes of age hardenable Ni-based superalloys used in MSR environments.

Additional Info

Field Value
Awarded Institution Oregon State University
DOI 10.46936/NSUF/60017675
Embargo End Date 2028-04-22
Facility Tech Lead Kevin Field
Irradiation Facilities Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory
NSUF Call FY 2026 RTE 1st Call
PI Scott Bozeman
PIE Facilities Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory
Project Member Dr. Samuel A. Briggs, Assistant Professor - Oregon State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2490-4720)
Project Member Professor David Sprouster, Assistant Professor - Stony Brook University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2689-0721)
Project Member Dr. Julie Tucker, Professor - Oregon State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0886-1580)
Project Member Dr. Scott Bozeman, Research Associate - Oregon State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1527-232X)
Project Member Dr. Benjamin Adam - Oregon State University (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0289-9246)
Project Type RTE