Review of Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of Types 304 and 316 Stainless Steel after Long-Term Aging

摘要

Because commercial liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBRs) will be designed to last for 35 to 40 years, an understanding of the mechanical behavior of the structural alloys used is required for times of 2.2 to 2.5 x 10 exp 5 h (assuming a 70% availability factor). Types 304 and 316 stainless steel are used extensively in LMFBR systems. These alloys are in a metastable state when installed and evolve to a more stable state and, therefore, microstructure during plant operation. Correlations of microstructures and mechanical properties during aging under representative LMFBR temperature and loading conditions is desirable from the standpoint of assuring safe, reliable, and economic plant operation. We reviewed the mechanical properties and microstructures of types 304 and 316 stainless steel wrought alloys, welds, and castings after long-term aging in air to 9 x 10 exp 4 h (about 10-1/2 years). The principal effect of such aging is to reduce fracture toughness (as measured in Charpy impact tests) and tensile ductility. Examples are cited, however, where, because stable microstructures are achieved, these as well as strength-related properties can be expected to remain adequate for service life exposures. 27 figures. (ERA citation 10:002598)