AFA-steels for Lead alloy cooled nuclear reactors – an overview of the European activities in the GEMMA project
Résumé
The development of AFA steels as potential structural material for lead alloy cooled nuclear reactors was initiated at KTH and KIT some years ago due to the observation of LME (liquid metal embrittlement) in lead alloys of ferritic steels. Two general concepts were followed by the two involved institution, a lean AFA with low Ni by KTH and a high alloyed AFA by KIT. In the frame of the H2020 EU project GEMMA three generations of both AFA routes were tested to explore the most preferable compositions. Corrosion tests in Pb at temperatures up to 650°C showed the potential of the best compositions. Finally, some mechanical data by small punch test, SSRT Tests and nanoindendation showed the ductility of most of the tested alloys. First ion irradiation on selected alloys revealed no hardening effect for both AFA concepts.The presentation will give an overview on the work performed and on the actual status of the research in Europe on AFA steels for lead alloy cooled nuclear reactors.