Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
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Influence of neutron irradiation and ageing on behavior of SAV-1 reactor alloy

  • Tsay, K.V. (Institute of Nuclear Physics) ;
  • Rofman, O.V. (Institute of Nuclear Physics) ;
  • Kudryashov, V.V. (Institute of Nuclear Physics) ;
  • Yarovchuk, A.V. (Institute of Nuclear Physics) ;
  • Maksimkin, O.P. (Institute of Nuclear Physics)
  • Received : 2020.09.23
  • Accepted : 2021.04.26
  • Published : 2021.10.25
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Abstract

This study observed the effect of neutron irradiation and ageing on the microstructure, hardness, and corrosion resistance of SAV-1 (Al-Mg-Si) alloy. The investigated material was irradiated with neutrons to fluences of 1021-1026 n/m2 in the WWR-K research reactor and kept in dry storage. Long-term irradiation led to an increase in hardness of the alloy and a deterioration of pitting corrosion resistance. Post-irradiation ageing for 1 h at 100-300 ℃ resulted in a decrease in microhardness of the irradiated SAV-1. The effect of post-irradiation ageing on pitting corrosion was made clear through the formation of Guinier-Preston zones and secondary precipitates in the Al matrix. Ageing at 250 ℃ corresponded to the development of stable microstructure and the highest corrosion resistance for the irradiated samples. Mg2Si, Si, and needle-shaped β" precipitates were formed in SAV-1 alloy that was irradiated with low fluences. β" and clusters of rod-shaped B-type precipitates were observed in highly irradiated samples. The precipitates were similar to those seen in non-irradiated pseudo-binary Al-Mg2Si alloys with Si excess.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Grant No. BR09158499 of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The authors are grateful to Maxim Otstavnov, Nadezhda Sil'nyagina and Dr. Diana Merezhko for their assistance in preparation of this manuscript.

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