Corrosion of E-635 alloy in the reactor core of a nuclear icebreaker

• Published in: Atomic energy (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 111; no. 4; pp. 305 - 308
• Main Authors: Vatulin, A. V., Volkova, I. N., Novoselov, A. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.02.2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alloys; Ammonia; Corrosion; Corrosion and anti-corrosives; Hadrons; Heat; Heavy Ions; Hydrogen; Marine nuclear reactor plants; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Energy; Nuclear Physics; Nuclear reactors; Nuclear ships; Oxidation; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Radiation; Reactors; Research centers; Ships; Specialty metals industry; Studies; Zirconium; Zirconium alloys; Fuel Element; Fuel Assembly; Oxide Film; Reactor Core; Zirconium Alloy
• ISSN: 1063-4258; 1573-8205
• DOI: 10.1007/s10512-012-9493-x

The use of nuclear power on icebreakers makes it possible to radically change their autonomy and energy self-sufficiency. Increasing the reliability, safety, cost-effectiveness, and service life of the core for nuclear power facilities is still a priority, especially the development of new fuel elements operating under exposure to strong damaging factors. As experience in operating nuclear ships accumulated the requirements imposed on the core continually increased. Promising materials, specifically, zirconium alloys whose unique combination of properties determines their extensive use in water-cooled power reactors were studied in this connection. This led to the development of fuel elements with cladding made of the widely used alloy E-110, which is now the standard for nuclear icebreakers. Operating experience with more than 10 cores has confirmed that such fuel elements are highly serviceable; no cases of loss failure have been observed.