Title: Self-welding susceptibility of 316LN and alloy D9 stainless steels in high-temperature flowing sodium

Authors: C. Meikandamurthy, Hemant Kumar, S.K. Albert, V. Ramakrishnan, K.K. Rajan, A.K. Bhaduri

Addresses: Fast Reactor Technology Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, India. ' Materials Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, India. ' Materials Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, India. ' Fast Reactor Technology Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, India. ' Fast Reactor Technology Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, India. ' Materials Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, India

Abstract: The self-welding susceptibility of 316LN Stainless Steel (SS) and alloy D9 (15Cr-15Ni-2Mo titanium-modified) SS in 20% cold-worked conditions was evaluated in flowing sodium at 823 K under a maximum contact stress of 12 MPa and for durations of 3, 6 and 9 months. The specimens used were hollow, cylindrical and stacked one above the other under compression using disc springs. The breakaway shear force was measured for self-welded specimens. The results for the two types of SS were compared using scanning electron micrographs, energy dispersive spectroscopic analysis, hardness and microstructures.

Keywords: self-welding; flowing sodium; 316LN stainless steel; alloy D9; fuel subassembly; fast breeder reactor; cold working; contact stress; shear force; hardness; microstructure; welding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2010.033475

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2010 Vol.5 No.3, pp.195 - 206

Published online: 02 Jun 2010 *

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