About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T26: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Additively Manufactured Materials for Nuclear Energy
|
| Presentation Title |
Mechanisms of Microstructural Homogenization, Mechanical Property Evolution, and Proton Irradiation Response in HIP-Treated PBF-LB 316L Stainless Steel for LWR Applications |
| Author(s) |
Arpan Arora, Stephen S Raiman |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Arpan Arora |
| Abstract Scope |
Additive manufacturing of 316L stainless steel via powder bed fusion–laser beam (PBF-LB) offers strong potential for producing complex light water reactor (LWR) core components such as baffle–former bolts, where resistance to irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) and long-term reliability are essential. However, the as-built microstructure is inherently heterogeneous and anisotropic due to rapid solidification, forming a cellular structure with Cr–Mo–Si segregation and high dislocation density. This metastable state stores significant chemical and strain energy. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) enables microstructural stabilization by reducing Gibbs free energy through homogenization, interfacial reduction, and recovery processes. At 1000 °C, pore closure occurs with limited cellular dissolution. At 1150 °C, enhanced diffusion promotes near-complete chemical homogenization and breakdown of cellular features. At 1250 °C, rapid diffusion and grain boundary mobility lead to full homogenization and isotropic microstructure. These transformations improve structural uniformity, reduce anisotropy, and enhance mechanical performance for nuclear applications |