Speaker
Description
This study investigates the use of electron beam treatment on aluminum-coated stainless-steel cladding materials to improve their performance in fast reactor operations. Fast reactors require materials that possess excellent thermal and mechanical properties, along with strong resistance to corrosion and radiation damage. Stainless steel, known for its durability and strength, can be further enhanced by aluminum coatings, which provide increased oxidation resistance. Non-destructive testing methods were used to evaluate the treated samples without compromising their structural integrity. Experimental techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Four-Point Probe (FPP) measurements, and thermal electromotive force (EMF) analysis, were employed. The results demonstrate that electron beam treatment significantly improves the adhesion and homogeneity of the aluminum coatings on the stainless-steel substrates, leading to increased corrosion resistance and an overall enhancement of material performance in reactor environments. These findings underscore the importance of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods in developing and optimizing cladding materials for the safe and efficient operation of fast reactors. Further research will focus on optimizing electron beam parameters and coating techniques to further improve the protective properties of these materials.
Keywords: Stainless steel, Aluminum coating, Fast reactors, Electron beam treatment, Non-destructive testing, Corrosion resistance
