Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2005

Publication Title

Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance

Volume

14

Issue

2

First page number:

203

Last page number:

211

Abstract

Transmutation of nuclear waste is currently being considered to transform long-lived isotopes to species with relatively short half-lives and reduced radioactivity through capture and decay of minor actinides and fission products. This process is intended for geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuels for shorter durations in the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. The molten lead-bismuth-eutectic will be used as a target and coolant during transmutation, which will be contained in a subsystem vessel made from materials such as austenitic (304L) and martensitic (EP-823 and HT-9) stainless steels. The structural materials used in this vessel will be subjected to welding operations and plastic deformation during fabrication. The resultant residual stresses cannot be totally eliminated even by stress-relief operations. Destructive and nondestructive techniques have been used to evaluate residual stresses in the welded and cold-worked specimens. Results indicate that tensile residual stresses were generated at the fusion line of the welded specimens made from either austenitic or martensitic stainless steel, with reduced stresses away from this region. The magnitude of residual stress in the cold-worked specimens was enhanced at intermediate cold-reduction levels, showing tensile residual stresses in the austenitic material while exhibiting compressive stresses in the martensitic alloys. Comparative analyses of the resultant data obtained by different techniques revealed consistent stress patterns.

Keywords

Austenite; Martensite; Neutron diffraction; Positron annihilation spectroscopy; Radioactive wastes – Transmutation; Residual stresses; Ring-core; Steel alloys; Strains and stresses; Structural materials; Transmutation

Disciplines

Materials Science and Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanics of Materials | Metallurgy | Nuclear Engineering | Structural Materials

Language

English

Permissions

Copyright 2005 ASM International. This paper was published in Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, Vol. 14, Issue 2, pp. 203-211 and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of ASM International. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplications of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of this paper are prohibited.

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