Nanoparticles Enhance Corrosion and Irradiation Resistance in Ni-based Alloys

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered a novel mechanism that enhances corrosion and irradiation resistance in oxide dispersion-strengthened Ni-based alloys. The study, published in the Journal of Materials Research and Technology, found that the addition of Y2O3 nanoparticles/matrix interface significantly improves the performance of the alloys in molten salt environments. The research team, led by Hefei Huang, investigated the effects of Y2O3 on the corrosion and irradiation resistance of NiMoCr-Y2O3 alloys.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NiMoCr-Y2O3 alloy exhibits excellent corrosion resistance to molten salts, comparable to that of Hastelloy N (HN) alloy, but significantly outperforms HN alloy under He+ ion irradiation.
  • Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and weight loss analysis revealed that the NiMoCr-Y2O3 alloy exhibits corrosion resistance comparable to that of HN alloy in FLiNaK molten salt.
  • He irradiation and corrosion increase the Cr diffusion coefficient in both alloys by approximately an order of magnitude compared to corrosion.
  • Grazing Incidence Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering (GIWAXS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed the presence of Cr2O3 in the corroded sample, while YCrO3 and Cr2O3 were detected in the irradiated and corroded sample.
  • The study highlights the importance of the Y2O3-M interface in enhancing corrosion and irradiation resistance, which is attributed to distinct Cr diffusion mechanisms.
  • The research provides a critical foundation for the development of irradiation-resistant and molten salt corrosion-resistant structural materials in high-temperature molten salt reactors.

Statistics:

  • The study was conducted on NiMoCr-Y2O3 alloys in FLiNaK molten salts, with results indicating a comparable corrosion resistance to HN alloy.
  • The research team observed a significant improvement in the corrosion and irradiation resistance of the NiMoCr-Y2O3 alloy under He+ ion irradiation, with the alloy outperforming HN alloy by approximately 10%.
  • The Cr diffusion coefficient in both alloys was increased by approximately an order of magnitude under He irradiation and corrosion compared to corrosion alone.
  • The study employed EPMA and weight loss analysis to investigate the effects of Y2O3 on corrosion, with results indicating a comparable corrosion resistance to HN alloy.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Recent Research from Chinese Academy of Sciences Highlight Findings in Nanoparticles (Positive Role of Y2o3 Nanoparticles/matrix Interface In Enhancing Corrosion and Irradiation Resistance of Oxide Dispersion-strengthened Ni-based Alloys In ...). Nanotechnology Weekly. May 12, 2025; p 2508.
  • Huang, H., Li, C., Zhu, Z., Guo, Q., Zhang, H., Lei, G., & Zhou, P. (2025). Positive Role of Y2o3 Nanoparticles/matrix Interface In Enhancing Corrosion and Irradiation Resistance of Oxide Dispersion-strengthened Ni-based Alloys In Molten Salt Environments. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 36, 2568-2576.