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Changes in Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of AISI Type 316LN Stainless Steel and Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel on Long-Term Exposure to Flowing Sodium in a Bi-Metallic Sodium Loop

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Abstract

AISI Type 316LN stainless steel (SS) and modified 9Cr-1Mo steel were exposed to flowing sodium at 798 K (525 °C) for 30000 hours in a bi-metallic sodium loop. The changes in microchemical, microstructural, and mechanical properties were evaluated and compared with the as-received and thermally aged specimens. Effective carbon diffusion coefficient \( {\left( {D_{\text{C}}^{\text{eff}} } \right)} \) was calculated to be 6.8 × 10−19 m2/s. Depth of carburization analyzed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy technique was around 100 µm for sodium-exposed 316LN SS. Selective leaching of nickel occurred across depth from the surface of sodium-exposed 316LN SS with the formation of 10 µm ferrite layer, and it showed an increase in yield strength by 15 pct, reduction in ductility by 60 pct, and a decrease in impact energy by 15 pct vis-a-vis the as-received and thermally aged specimens. This reduction in ductility occurred due to extensive precipitation of sigma phase as a result of long-term thermal aging. No significant changes were observed in the sodium/modified 9Cr-1Mo steel interfacial microstructure as well as tensile properties of sodium-exposed modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. Although modified 9Cr-1Mo neither showed carburization nor decarburization on sodium exposure, it showed a drastic reduction in the impact strength, which was attributed to the presence of Laves phase, observed in X-ray diffraction patterns.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their thanks to Smt. M. Radhika, ex-employee of PMG, IGCAR for her help in SEM and EDS analysis, Dr. S. Kalavathy, MSG for XRD studies and Smt. Alka, QAD, IGCAR for microhardness measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Corrosion Science and Technology Group (CSTG), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, 603 102, India

    N. Sivai Bharasi (Scientific Officer D), M. G. Pujar (Leader, Environmental Degradation & Monitoring Program), K. Thyagarajan (Scientific Officer D), C. Mallika (Head, ACSCS) & U. Kamachi Mudali (Associate Director)

  2. Materials Development and Technology Group (MDTG), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    M. Nandagopal (Scientific Officer E, CSS, MMD) & A. Moitra (Scientific Officer G, MMS, MTD)

  3. Fast Reactor Technology Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Chandramouli (Head) & K. K. Rajan (Director)

  4. Solid State Physics Laboratory, Defense Research and Development Organization, Delhi, 110 054, India

    Anuradha Dhaul (Scientist)

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  1. N. Sivai Bharasi
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Manuscript submitted February 28, 2015.

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Sivai Bharasi, N., Pujar, M.G., Thyagarajan, K. et al. Changes in Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of AISI Type 316LN Stainless Steel and Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel on Long-Term Exposure to Flowing Sodium in a Bi-Metallic Sodium Loop. Metall Mater Trans A 46, 6065–6080 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-015-3147-2

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