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| Progress in Failure Mechanisms and Modification Strategies of Nickel-Based Alloys for Molten Salt Reactors |
WANG You1,2, CHEN Xiangyang1,2( ), WANG Xujia1( ), TANG Chuntao1, SHEN Zhao3( ), ZENG Xiaoqin3 |
1 Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute Co. Ltd. , Shanghai 200233, China 2 Stage Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy, Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research & Design Institute Co. Ltd. , Shanghai 200233, China 3 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China |
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Cite this article:
WANG You, CHEN Xiangyang, WANG Xujia, TANG Chuntao, SHEN Zhao, ZENG Xiaoqin. Progress in Failure Mechanisms and Modification Strategies of Nickel-Based Alloys for Molten Salt Reactors. Acta Metall Sin, 2026, 62(8): 1331-1346.
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Abstract The molten salt reactor (MSR) is an important reactor type in Generation IV nuclear systems. However, the high-temperature, corrosive, and irradiation-coupled environment of MSRs compromises the chemical stability and service reliability of structural materials. Nickel-based alloys, featuring an fcc matrix with high thermal stability and low chemical activity, are promising candidates but remain susceptible to selective corrosion dissolution, Te-induced corrosion cracking, and irradiation-accelerated corrosion. This review summarizes the multifield-coupled failure mechanisms of Ni-based alloys for MSRs and outlines a four-dimensional modification framework of “composition optimization, secondary phase regulation, grain boundary regulation, and coating protection”. Lowering the Cr content and optimizing the Mo / W ratios collectively suppress selective dissolution; secondary phase/oxide dispersion strengthened particles trap defects and block diffusion; grain boundary engineering suppresses Te penetration by increasing the fraction of low-Σ boundaries; Ni-W or silicon carbide coatings provide terminal protection. Future efforts should focus on in situ multifield characterization, machine learning-based design, and environment-adaptive regulation of Ni-based alloys to achieve their long-term reliability and engineering application in MSRs.
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Received: 10 December 2025
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| Fund: National Natural Science Foundation of China(U25B20113);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52471043);Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program by CAST(TESS20240818);Qi Ming Xing Program of Shanghai(24YF2718700) |
Corresponding Authors:
CHEN Xiangyang, senior engineer, Tel: (021)61863529, E-mail: chenxiangyang3@snerdi.com.cn; WANG Xujia, professorate senior engineer, Tel: (021)61860728, E-mail: wangxj@snerdi.com.cn; SHEN Zhao, associate professor, Tel: (021)54740838, E-mail: shenzhao081@sjtu.edu.cn
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