Effects of Phosphorus and Boron on the Behavior of a Titanium-Stabilized Austenitic Stainless Steel Developed for Fast Reactor Service

摘要

Austenitic stainless steels are used for core component materials in liquid metal cooled reactors (LMRs). To extend the lifetime of LMR fuel assemblies, considerable effort was expended by the US breeder materials program to find ways to minimize radiation-induced dimensional changes (swelling and creep) and to maximize the creep rupture strength. After various elements were shown to strongly affect swelling and creep behavior, compositional modifications to a commercial grade austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316) produced an alloy with significant improvement in swelling resistance over the standard 300 series alloys. Changes were primarily in the concentrations of chromium, nickel, silicon and titanium, ASTM specification A771-83 was approved in 1983 for the new alloy, designated UNS S38660. Substantial improvement can be produced in the creep rupture behavior of this alloy. Elements such as phosphorus and boron, typically present in trace quantities, have a significant influence on the creep strength of austenitic stainless steels. Several heats of alloy S38660 were made that systematically varied the phosphorus and boron contents. Uniaxial creep tests were conducted at 704/degree/C (1300/degree/F) to evaluate the effects of these elements on the creep rate and the rupture life. The results of these tests were used to guide the production of reactor grade fuel pin cladding for further evaluations. Pressurized tube specimens were tested in the laboratory and also in a fast reactor. Results of these investigations have shown that the elements phosphorus and boron, present in minute but controlled amounts, increase both the in- reactor and ex-reactor rupture life and reduce both in-reactor swelling and creep rate. Microstructural evaluations were also conducted to help ascertain the mechanisms by which the improved properties were obtained. 41 refs., 28 figs., 3 tabs. (ERA citation 13:053706)