Abstract Scope |
This talk provides a brief overview of the current status and roadmaps of Additively Manufactured (AM) alloys for reactor applications. It discusses the latest findings concerning the disparities between AM alloys and conventional alloys. Research conducted thus far has revealed distinct radiation responses in AM alloys, including resistance to swelling, radiation hardening, nanoscale compositional changes, and deformation mechanisms. The void nucleation theory is applied to explain why void swelling is so sensitive to impurities. Even a small amount of carbon introduced during the manufacturing process, as low as tens of parts per million (ppm), can significantly impact the irradiation response. The unique microstructures and compositions of AM alloys result in distinctive radiation responses, which may pave the way for new opportunities in nuclear applications with enhanced performance. On the other hand, repeatability and quality control of AM alloys are important considering the high sensitivity of their behaviors to processing details. |