Properties of Austenitic Steels for Nuclear Reactor Applications

Austenitic stainless steels are widely used in current commercial BWR and PWR systems as in-core and surrounding structural materials. These versatile steels have also been the main materials considered and applied for many advanced reactor technologies, including fast-breeder reactors and magnetic fusion reactors. For advanced reactors for higher temperatures or high lifetime damage levels, modified versions of the standard commercial stainless steel grades have been developed to provide improved performance properties and radiation resistance in specific reactor environments. An overview of the unirradiated properties and a summary of some important radiation-induced changes in properties are presented. The development of several alloys for more radiation resistance or better performance in specific reactor environments is highlighted. Also included are new Al-modified stainless steel casting alloys that might be applicable to high temperature reactor designs.