Matériaux utilisés dans les réacteurs à neutrons rapides “super phénix„^*

Alliages à base fer (aciers inoxydables) et à base nickel (Incoloy, Inconel)

Materials used in « super phenix » fast neutrons reactors

Professeur Entérite à l'Université Paris XI, Orsay

Abstract

The construction of Super Phenix, the first nuclear reactor of high power (1300 MW) using fast neutrons has required important metallurgical researches for solving new problems due to use of liquid sodium at relatively high temperature (550°C). The 316 L austenitic stainless steel was selected to can the pins of nuclear fuel as to build the great vessel containing liquid sodium (3 200 tons) in contact with the pins of nuclear fuel. On the contrary, Incoloy 800 was prefered to design exchanger tubes for its better resistance to stress corrosion by pressurized water and high temperature steam. Moreover, the control of (Al+Ti)% content permits to improve the creep mechanical properties of this alloy. These results were obtained by a long and dose collaboration between the best experts of C.E.A., E.D.F. and industrial producers of these materials.