IRRADIATION DAMAGE OF BORON-MODIFIED STAINLESS STEEL

Investigation of a program initiated to evaluate and confirm the fabrication techniques of the boron-modified stainless steel control rod and to aid in establishing the effect of radiation on the corrosion behavior and physical and structural properties of the control rods in the nuclear merchant ship reactor is presented. The three types of specimens prepared were tensile-impact specimens, and two types of clad corrosion specimens designated as composite and roll clad. Capsule design for the irradiation, and techniques and equipment are discussed. After irradiation testing the specimens were subjected to visual examination, impact tests, metallographic examination, microhardening measurements, and corrosion studies. Results of postcorrosion density measurements show that the high-burnup roll clad specimen expanded during corrosion. Advantages of using clad boron-stainless steel are: Cladding improves the mechanical properties, containment of irradiation-induced expansion, and prevention of the coolant reacting with the irradiated boride particles. The design in which the cladding and the core are held together mechanically appears more satisfactory then the design for the roll clad specimens. A disadvantage of not cladding the boron- stainless steel is that the alloy must bear the load of the control rod. This alloy has poor mechanical properties, and is thus not well suited for this function.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number BMI-B&W-664.
• Corporate Authors:

  Battelle Memorial Institute

  505 King Avenue
  Columbus, OH  United States  43201

  Babcock and Wilcox Company

  New York, NY  United States 
• Authors:
  • Burian, R J
  • Berry, W E
  • Shober, F R
  • Dickerson, R F
  • Fink, W F
• Publication Date: 1961-7-11

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 60 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Corrosion tests; Design; Nuclear reactor components; Nuclear reactors; Radiation hazards
• Old TRIS Terms: Nuclear reactor control rods; Nuclear reactor design; Radiation effects
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026436
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: BMI-B&W-664
• Contract Numbers: AT(30-3)-274
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 11 1973 12:00AM