Abstract
In order to provide corrosion data on prospective fuel pin cladding alloys for the ML-1 nuclear reactor, four nickel-based alloys: Inconel 600, Inconel 702, Hastelloy X and Nichrome V, were tested in air at 300 pss and 1750 F for durations up to 10,000 hours. Weight changes were determined after various exposure periods. Selected samples were then tensile tested at room temperature to determine changes in strength and ductility. All samples were metallographically examined for depth of penetration, nature of oxide scale and change in internal microstructure.
Surface oxidation resistance was evaluated on the basis of length of exposure after which there was no longer a weight gain. Maximum depth of corrosion penetration was another important criterion on which selection of the most suitable alloy was based. Hastelloy X was found most suitable of the four alloys tested and is now in use as the fuel pin cladding alloy.
