Authors & Affiliations
Kinev E.A.1, Pastuhov V.I.1, Yarkov V.Yu.1, Plaksin O.A.2, Chesnokov E.A.2
1 Research institute of nuclear materials, Zarechny, Russia
2 A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia
Kinev E.A. – Leading Researcher, Cand. Sci. (Tech.). Contacts: PO Box 29, Zarechny, Sverdlovsk region, Russia, 624250. Tel.: +7 (34377) 3-51-18; e-mail:
Pastukhov V.I. – Head of Laboratory, Cand. Sci. (Tech.).
Yarkov V.Yu. – Junior Researcher.
Plaksin O.A. – Chief Researcher, Dr. Sci. (Phys.-Math.).
Chesnokov E.A. – Team Leader
Abstract
Interaction of a VN-2AE niobium alloy cladding and an antimony core in the as-fabricated state (after crystallization of the antimony melt inside the cladding) and after long-term reactor irradiation at the temperature in the range from 390 to 550 °C to a set of maximum neutron fluences of 1.2·1023 and 2.4·1023 neutrons/cm2 (E>0 MeV) has been investigated by the methods of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. It has been found for the as-fabricated state that the cladding was subjected, for a short time, to moderate metallurgical effect from the technological antimony melt. As a result, the interaction appeared to be predominantly frontal, expanding to a depth of 20–35 μm and accompanying with the transfer of individual metal grains into the body of the crystallized antimony core. Subsequent reactor irradiation in the ranges of temperatures and fluences studied almost did not result in increase of the thickness of interaction layer between the niobium alloy and the solid antimony core. Another feature of the interaction are the areas with local penetration of antimony-niobium interaction products along microcracks between the metal grain boundaries to a depth of 35 μm on the inner surface of the cladding.
Keywords
VN-2AE alloy, cladding, antimony core, metallurgical interaction, neutron irradiation
Article Text (PDF, in Russian)
UDC 621.039.531
Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2024, no. 2, 2:14