| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Chemistry for Molten Salt Systems
|
| Presentation Title |
Corrosion and Microstructural Dynamics in Nuclear Reactor Alloys Exposed to Fluoride Molten Salts: Insights from 4D-STEM Analysis |
| Author(s) |
Andrew M. Minor, Sean Mills, Dongye Liu, Yang Yang |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Andrew M. Minor |
| Abstract Scope |
Structural materials in nuclear reactors are exposed to irradiation, high temperature, and corrosion, altering their microstructure. Understanding the link between corrosion and microstructure is critical, albeit challenging, due to the complex interactions among alloying elements, salt species, and nanoscale defects. This research utilizes advanced electron microscopy techniques including 4D-STEM, STEM-EDS and FIB serial sectioning to analyze corrosion damage in metal alloys exposed to fluoride molten salts. Post-corrosion 3-dimentional observations reveal a complex network of dense, one-dimensional “wormhole” corrosion pores. 4D-STEM strain mapping highlights an increase in point defect concentration and Cr de-alloyed regions near the corrosion pores. Simultaneous 4D-STEM and STEM-EDS mapping under similar conditions identify a novel Cr lattice diffusion mechanism enriching the metal-salt interface, explained by the different formation energies for Ni and Cr oxidation into the molten salt. This research highlights the significant impact of chemistry and structure on corrosion pore formation in molten salt reactor environments. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Characterization, Environmental Effects, Nuclear Materials |