Materials Testing at JAERI

The material chosen for the IHX and the steam reformer of the Japanese HTTR is HASTELLOY XR. Corrosion tests and long-term creep tests in helium atmosphere in the temperature range 800 - 1000 °C have been conducted reaching 50,000 hours. No significant degradation in creep properties was observed even after carburization. Creep rupture was found to be caused by nucleation, growth, and link-up of grain boundary cavities [26].

Satisfactory behavior of Hastelloy XR material has been found with respect to weldability, tensile and creep properties through optical microscopy and corresponding tests in air at room temperature and at high temperatures up to 950 °C, respectively [40].

Also the investigation of the potential use of SiC ceramics for heat exchanger and vessels, high-temperature properties and oxidation behavior has been started, e.g., on a

SiC-coated vessel with potential use for thermal chemical reactions for hydrogen processes.

Other tests conducted at JAERI examine the corrosion exposure in boiling sulfuric acid.

Mechanical bending tests are planned at the Research Center Jiilich.

Further work will be focusing on lifetime prediction methods for gas turbine materials (superalloys) and experiments on fracture mechanics in superalloys as well as finite element calculations of multiaxial loaded tubes and validation of multiaxial tests (tension, torsion, internal pressure).

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Chapter 3

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING