| Abstract Scope |
The primary objective of this study is to understand how interparticle boundaries evolve during the PM-HIP process in FeCrAl alloys. PM-HIP manufactured components can be significantly larger than those manufactured by additive methods, exhibiting a homogeneous fine-grained microstructure with good mechanical properties. Owing to this, PM-HIP manufacturing is considered a potential route for manufacturing future in-reactor components. Recently, FeCrAl alloys have been considered accident-tolerant cladding material for nuclear reactors. Previously, numerous works have been carried out to investigate material performance and corrosion behaviour. However, the influence of the HIP process on FeCrAl alloy fabrication has not been demonstrated. This is particularly important in FeCrAl alloys, as the Al content stabilizes oxides on powder surfaces, which results in different defects in the PM-HIP materials, such as oxide inclusions and porosity. In this work, Fe-10Cr-6.1Al are used as test powder, and the HIP-induced microstructure is investigated across different temperatures (750°C to 1050°C) and pressures (100 MPa to 150 MPa). The resulting particle size, grain size, residual plastic strain, oxides and porosity are characterized to determine the optimum HIP parameters for FeCrAl alloys. |