Neutron irradiation of alloy N and 316L stainless steel in contact with a molten chloride salt

Capsules containing NaCl-MgCl2 salt with 316L stainless steel or alloy N samples were irradiated in the Ohio State University Research Reactor for 21 nonconsecutive hours. A custom irradiation vessel was designed for this purpose, and details on its design and construction are given. Stainless steel samples that were irradiated during exposure had less corrosive attack than samples exposed to the same conditions without irradiation. Alloy N samples showed no significant effect of irradiation. This work shows a method for conducting in-reactor irradiation-corrosion experiments in static molten salts and presents preliminary data showing that neutron irradiation may decelerate corrosion of alloys in molten chloride salts.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a method for conducting in-reactor irradiation-corrosion experiments in static molten salts, showing that neutron irradiation may decelerate corrosion of alloys in molten chloride salts. Stainless steel samples irradiated during exposure had less corrosive attack than samples exposed to the same conditions without irradiation, while alloy N samples showed no significant effect of irradiation.