Development of Al-alloy coating for advanced nuclear systems using lead alloys

Kurata, Yuji; Yokota, Hitoshi*; Suzuki, Tetsuya*

Nuclear systems using lead alloys are one of the promising reactor concepts with improved safety. This paper focuses on development of Al-alloy coating for nuclear systems using liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE). It is necessary to improve corrosion resistance of steels because of high corrosiveness of liquid LBE at high temperatures. An Al-alloy coating method using Al, Ti and Fe powders and laser beam heating has been developed. Main defects formed in an Al-powder-alloy coating process are surface defects and cracks. Conditions required to avoid these defects have been studied. According to results of the corrosion tests at 550C in liquid LBE, the Al-alloy coating layers on 316SS prevent severe corrosion attack observed in 316SS without coating. The good corrosion resistance of the Al-alloy coating is based on the thin Al-oxide film regenerated in liquid LBE. It is estimated that the range of the adequate Al concentration in the coating layer is from 4 to 12 wt%.