High-temperature strength of modified type 316 steel for fast reactor fuel before and after neutron irradiation

Miyazawa, Takeshi; Uwaba, Tomoyuki; Yano, Yasuhide; Tanno, Takashi; Otsuka, Satoshi; Onizawa, Takashi; Ando, Masanori; Kaito, Takeji

JAEA-Technology 2024-009, 140 Pages, 2024/10

JAEA-Technology-2024-009.pdf:8.03MB

For the purpose of enhancing the reliability of fast reactor fuel designing using modified type 316 steel, the out-of-pile and in-pile mechanical data of modified type 316 steel cladding tubes and wrapper tubes were statistically analyzed with the knowledge on material science and engineering; the high-temperature strength equations of modified type 316 steel, which can be applied to high-dose neutron irradiation environment, were derived. The out-of-pile high-temperature tensile and creep data of modified type 316 steel cladding tubes and wrapper tubes were derived up to 900C, which is higher than the upper limit temperature of anticipated transient event of fast reactor. Using the extended database, the best-fit equation and the lower limit equation were derived for out-of-pile 0.2% proof strength, ultimate tensile strength and creep rupture strength while the best-fit equation and the upper and lower limit equations for creep strain. Furthermore, the degradation factors for tensile and creep strength, which will be produced by in-reactor environment (i.e., neutron irradiation in liquid sodium), were evaluated using the existing neutron irradiation data of modified type 316 steel, which were derived using the experimental fast reactor Joyo, the French proto-type fast reactor Phenix, the American experimental fast reactor FFTF. The derived equations were validated by the comparison with the experimental data.

FBR metallic materials test manual (2023 revised edition)

Imagawa, Yuya; Toyota, Kodai; Onizawa, Takashi; Kato, Shoichi

JAEA-Testing 2023-004, 76 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Testing-2023-004.pdf:2.08MB

This manual describes the methods for conducting material tests in air, argon gas, and sodium, and for organizing the data obtained, as a part of the development of high-temperature structural design technology for fast reactors. This manual reflects the revision of test methods in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) to the "FBR Metallic Materials Test Manual, PNC TN241 77-03" published in 1977 and the "FBR Metallic Materials Test Manual (Revised Edition), JNC TN9520 2001-001" published in 2001. Also, it was written with reference to the recommended room temperature / elevated temperature tensile test method by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) and the test standard for the elevated-temperature low-cycle fatigue test method by the Society of Materials Science, Japan (JSMS), which are the standard for material test methods in the domestic academic society.

Validation of the applicability of the best-fit fatigue curves for 550C in Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel to 110 cycles

Toyota, Kodai; Imagawa, Yuya; Onizawa, Takashi; Kato, Shoichi; Furuya, Yoshiyuki*

Nihon Kikai Gakkai Rombunshu (Internet), 89(928), p.23-00206_1 - 23-00206_15, 2023/12

https://doi.org/10.1299/transjsme.23-00206

In order to design fast reactors, it is necessary to consider high cycle fatigue of structural materials up to 110 cycles; to evaluate high cycle fatigue at 110 cycles, it is necessary to develop a best-fit fatigue curve applicable up to 110 cycles. In this study, high cycle fatigue tests were conducted under strain-controlled conditions and ultrasonic fatigue tests were also conducted to develop a high cycle fatigue evaluation method for Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel, which is a candidate material for fast reactor structural materials. Based on the test results, the best-fit fatigue curves were extended and the applicability of the JSME best-fit fatigue curves up to 110 cycles was verified.

Analysis of the radioactivity concentrations in radioactive waste generated from JRR-3, JRR-4 and JRTF facilities

Tobita, Minoru*; Konda, Miki; Omori, Takeshi*; Nabatame, Tsutomu*; Onizawa, Takashi*; Kurosawa, Katsuaki*; Haraga, Tomoko; Aono, Ryuji; Mitsukai, Akina; Tsuchida, Daiki; et al.

JAEA-Data/Code 2022-007, 40 Pages, 2022/11

JAEA-Data-Code-2022-007.pdf:1.99MB

Radioactive wastes generated from nuclear research facilities in Japan Atomic Energy Agency are planning to be buried in the near surface disposal field. Therefore, it is required to establish the method to evaluate the radioactivity concentrations of radioactive wastes until the beginning of disposal. In order to contribute to this work, we collected and analyzed concrete, ash, ceramic and brick samples generated from JRR-3, JRR4 and JRTF facilities. In this report, we summarized the radioactivity concentrations of 24 radionuclides (H, C, Cl, Ca, Co, Ni, Sr, Nb, Tc, Ag, I, Cs, Ba, Eu, Eu, Ho, U, U, Pu, Pu, Pu, Am, Am, Cm) which were obtained from radiochemical analysis of the samples in fiscal years 2020-2021.

Material data acquisition activities to develop the material strength standard for sodium-cooled fast reactors

Toyota, Kodai; Onizawa, Takashi; Wakai, Takashi; Hashidate, Ryuta; Kato, Shoichi

Proceedings of International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles; Sustainable Clean Energy for the Future (FR22) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2022/04

Proposal of simulation material test technique for clarifying the structure failure mechanisms under excessive seismic loads

Hashidate, Ryuta; Kato, Shoichi; Onizawa, Takashi; Wakai, Takashi; Kasahara, Naoto*

Proceedings of ASME 2021 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (PVP 2021) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2021/07

It is very essential to clarify the structure failure mechanisms under excessive seismic loads. However, structural tests using actual structural materials are very difficult and expensive. Therefore, we have proposed the structure test approach using lead alloys in order to simulate the structure failure mechanisms under the excessive seismic loads. In this study, we conducted material tests using lead alloy and verified the effectiveness of the simulated material tests. Moreover, we formulated inelastic constitutive equations (best fit fatigue curve equation and cyclic stress range - strain range relationship equation) of lead alloy based on the results of a series of material tests. Nonlinear numerical analyses, e.g. finite element analyses, can be performed using the proposed equations. A series of simulation material test technique enables structural tests and analyses using lead alloy to simulate the structure failure phenomena under excessive seismic loads.

Proposal of simulation materials test technique and their constitutive equations for structural tests and analyses simulating severe accident conditions

Hashidate, Ryuta; Kato, Shoichi; Onizawa, Takashi; Wakai, Takashi; Kasahara, Naoto*

Proceedings of ASME 2020 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (PVP 2020) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2020/08

https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2020-21397

Although it is very essential to clarify how the structure collapses under the severe accident conditions, the failure mechanisms in excessive high temperatures are not clarified. However, it is very difficult and expensive to perform structural tests using actual structural materials. Therefore, we propose to use lead alloys instead of actual structural materials. For demonstration of analogy between the failure mechanisms of lead alloys structure at low temperature and those of the actual structures at high temperature, numerical analyses are required. Although the authors proposed inelastic constitutive equations for numerical analyses in 2019, the equations could not successfully express because of large variations observed in the material tests of the lead alloy. In this study, we propose the improved inelastic constitutive equations of the lead alloy on the basis of the material test results used by aged alloy which can stabilized the material characteristic.

Development of creep property equations of 316FR stainless steel and Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel for sodium-cooled fast reactor to achieve 60-year design life

Onizawa, Takashi; Hashidate, Ryuta

Mechanical Engineering Journal (Internet), 6(1), p.18-00477_1 - 18-00477_15, 2019/02

https://doi.org/10.1299/mej.18-00477

Aiming at enhancing its economic competitiveness and reducing radioactive waste, JAEA has proposed an attractive plant concept and made great efforts to demonstrate the applicability of some innovative technologies to the plant. One of the most practical means is to extend the design life to 60 years. Accordingly, the material strength standards set by JSME have to be extended from 300,000 to 500,000 hours but this extension requires more precise estimation of creep rupture strength and creep strain of the materials in the long term. This paper describes the development of creep property equations of 316FR stainless steel and Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel considering changes in creep mechanisms at high temperatures in the long term based on evaluations of long-term creep properties of the materials. The creep property equations developed in this study will provide more precise estimation of the creep properties in the long term than the present creep property equations of JSME.

Influence of cyclic softening on high temperature material properties in Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel

Onizawa, Takashi; Nagae, Yuji; Kato, Shoichi; Wakai, Takashi

Zairyo, 66(2), p.122 - 129, 2017/02

https://doi.org/10.2472/jsms.66.122

The applicability of Modified 9Cr-1Mo steel (ASME Grade 91 steel) as the main structural material in advanced loop-type sodium cooled fast reactor has been explored to enhance the safety, the credibility and the economic competitiveness of fast reactor plants. It is well-known that the steel exhibits cyclic softening behavior. Decrease of tensile and creep strength in softened materials has been already reported by other researchers. This paper discusses the relationship between cyclic softening conditions and high temperature material properties. Grade 91 steel was softened by repeat of plastic strain. The softening behavior could be evaluated by the index of the softening rate. Decrease of tensile and creep strength in softened materials can be evaluated by the softening rate and it depends on the cyclic softening conditions.

Effect of trace amount tungsten on long-term material properties of high Cr steels

Onizawa, Takashi; Nagae, Yuji; Kikuchi, Kenji*

Tetsu To Hagane, 100(8), p.999 - 1005, 2014/08

https://doi.org/10.2355/tetsutohagane.100.999

The applicability of high chromium (Cr) steel as the main structural material in fast breeder reactors (FBR) has been explored to enhance the safety, the credibility and the economic competitiveness of FBR power plants. Tungsten (W) is believed to improve the high temperature strength of high Cr steels by solid-solution strengthening mechanism, although the long-term effectiveness and stability of such a strengthening mechanism has not fully been understood yet. High Cr steels controlling W content are produced and tensile tests, creep tests, aging tests and charpy impact tests were conducted to investigate the long-term material properties. It was observed that the short-term creep strength could be improved by W. However, there is almost no influence of W on the long-term creep strength. And it was observed that the impact properties after aging could be improved by decreasing of W. It was found that the optimal W content for excellent high Cr steel of FBR grade are 0.1 wt.%, under FBR operating conditions.