Corrosion issues in sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) systems

Yoshida, Eiichi; Furukawa, Tomohiro  

For sodium cooled fast reactor systems, the effect of sodium environment on corrosion and mechanical properties of the structural materials have to be evaluated to maintain the material integrity throughout the plant design life. In this paper, the effect of sodium on the mechanical strength, such as creep and fatigue, which is the dominant factor of corrosion was evaluated based on the related R&D results. Furthermore, the friction and self-welding phenomena in sodium were also described.