About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Chemistry for Molten Salt Systems
|
| Presentation Title |
Investigating the Effects of Helium-Ion Irradiation on the Corrosivity of FLiNaK Molten Salt |
| Author(s) |
Adria Peterkin, Weiyue Zhou, Wande Cairang, Mike Short |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Adria Peterkin |
| Abstract Scope |
Molten fluoride salts, such as FLiNaK, are being investigated for use in nuclear fission and fusion reactors. While these salts are typically corrosive, radiation can decrease this effect. This study investigates the mechanisms behind the increased corrosivity of molten salt despite radiation-decelerated corrosion in alloys. Counterintuitive to reduced corrosion rates in Ni-20Cr, pure Fe showed increased corrosion, likely due to the H+ ion acting as an impurity. Since the effects of H+ ion injection and radiolysis are intertwined, isolating the corrosion mechanism is difficult.
To decouple the impurity from the effects in the salt, we have used He2+, a chemically neutral species, to induce radiolysis. Fe foils exposed to FLiNaK were irradiated using a 4.7 MeV He2+ ion beam and a 1.4 MeV H+ beam. The samples were assessed using SEM and EDX. Preliminary results require further investigation to identify the extent of corrosion of Fe in molten fluoride salts. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, |