Metals’ atomic arrangement can create ‘corrosion highways’ in nuclear reactors

[Marlin]

Metals' atomic arrangement can create 'corrosion highways' in nuclear reactors

https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/metals-atomic-arrangement-can-create-corrosion-highways-nuclear-reactors

[Core Content]

Penn State engineers used computer simulations to identify how atomic arrangements in nichrome alloys influence corrosion rates when exposed to molten salts. The study reveals that specific long-range atomic ordering creates internal pathways that accelerate material degradation. These findings provide a clearer understanding of how microscopic structures affect metal stability.

Molten salt reactors operate at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Celsius, creating harsh environments that challenge structural material longevity. By identifying these corrosion highways, researchers can develop more accurate predictive models for alloy performance. This data assists in the selection and processing of materials for advanced reactor designs, where chemical stability remains a primary engineering hurdle.

Using computer simulations, a team led by engineers at Penn State found that adjusting subtle atomic arrangements — even in identical baseline chemical compositions — can affect the metal corrosion rate and extent caused by the extreme chemical environment in advanced nuclear reactors can start to corrode the metals comprising the reactor.

Scientists created hyper-detailed simulations of nichrome, a metal alloy used in nuclear reactors, and exposed them to a popular molten salt mixture used in an advanced type of nuclear reactor. The team found that particular atomic arrangements created "corrosion highways" that made the material much more susceptible to corrosion. Credit: Provided by Hamdy Arkoub. All Rights Reserved.

Read the full article at psu.edu:
https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/metals-atomic-arrangement-can-create-corrosion-highways-nuclear-reactors