|
|
|
| High-Temperature Microstructural Stability of High-Si Austenitic Steels for Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor Fasteners |
SHI Xianbo1, ZHANG Shuzhan1, SU Yuanfei1, JIAO Shengxuan1,2, YAN Wei1( ), RONG Lijian1( ) |
1 Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China 2 School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Shenyang 110016, China |
|
Cite this article:
SHI Xianbo, ZHANG Shuzhan, SU Yuanfei, JIAO Shengxuan, YAN Wei, RONG Lijian. High-Temperature Microstructural Stability of High-Si Austenitic Steels for Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor Fasteners. Acta Metall Sin, 2026, 62(8): 1347-1356.
|
|
|
Abstract Currently, there is rapid development of lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs) as a main type of Generation IV nuclear reactor in China. High-Si austenitic stainless steel is a candidate structural material for important LFR components, such as fasteners, due to its excellent high-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion resistance to liquid Pb-Bi. However, high-Si steel accelerates the precipitation of secondary phases, such as M23C6, M6C, χ phase, G phase, and ferrite, during long-term high-temperature aging, thereby reducing microstructural stability and degrading mechanical properties. Therefore, while high-Si steel enables better corrosion resistance, the problem of high-temperature microstructural stability remains a critical issue to resolve. This review focuses on the use of high-Si austenitic stainless steel for LFR fasteners, with the introduction of the Si alloying design principle and a summary of the evolution characteristics of secondary phases induced by Si addition in austenitic steels. Furthermore, an alloying strategy to improve microstructural stability based on experimental findings is proposed along with an outlook toward future developments.
|
|
Received: 17 March 2026
|
|
|
| Fund: Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province(2023-MS-019);LingChuang Research Project of China National Nuclear Corporation |
Corresponding Authors:
YAN Wei, professor, Tel: (024)23978990, E-mail: weiyan@imr.ac.cn; RONG Lijian, professor, Tel: (024)23971979, E-mail: ljrong@imr.ac.cn
|
| [1] |
Zhang D H, Wang S P, Dai Z W. Innovation and development of fast reactors in China [J]. Nucl. Sci. Eng., 2024, 44: 980
|
|
张东辉, 王松平, 代智文. 我国快堆的创新与发展 [J]. 核科学与工程, 2024, 44: 980
|
| [2] |
Qiao P R, Guo R Y, Yang H Y. Research progress and prospect of key technologies for small nuclear reactor [J]. At. Energy Sci. Technol., 2025, 59: 2048
|
|
乔鹏瑞, 郭瑞阳, 杨红义. 小型核反应堆关键技术研究进展及展望 [J]. 原子能科学技术, 2025, 59: 2048
|
| [3] |
Wu Y, Xie A, Chen S H, et al. Corrosion behavior of NbC and its effect on corrosion layer formation in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic of Nb-containing austenitic stainless steel [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2025, 61: 287
|
|
吴 炀, 谢 昂, 陈胜虎 等. 含Nb奥氏体不锈钢中NbC的液态Pb-Bi共晶腐蚀行为及其对氧化层形成的影响 [J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61: 287
|
| [4] |
Zhang X C, Li J, Li C J, et al. Corrosion behavior of ODS FeCrAl alloys containing Zr exposed to lead-bismuth eutectic at 550 oC [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2025, 61: 1320
|
|
张晓晨, 李 静, 李长记 等. 含Zr ODS FeCrAl合金在550 ℃ Pb-Bi熔液中的腐蚀行为 [J]. 金属学报, 2025, 61: 1320
|
| [5] |
Zhang J S. A review of steel corrosion by liquid lead and lead-bismuth [J]. Corros. Sci., 2009, 51: 1207
|
| [6] |
Zhang X Y, Li C, Wang Y X, et al. Research progress on liquid metal corrosion behavior of structural steels for lead fast reactor [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2023, 43: 1216
|
|
张心怡, 李 聪, 汪禹熙 等. 铅基堆结构材料液态金属腐蚀行为的研究进展 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2023, 43: 1216
|
| [7] |
Shi X M, Tan J B, Zhang Z Y, et al. A review on fatigue behavior of candidate structure materials for lead-cooled fast reactors in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2025, 45: 1187
|
|
史轩铭, 谭季波, 张兹瑜 等. 铅冷快堆候选结构材料液态铅铋共晶环境中疲劳行为研究进展 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45: 1187
|
| [8] |
Zhang J S, Li N. Review of the studies on fundamental issues in LBE corrosion [J]. J. Nucl. Mater., 2008, 373: 351
|
| [9] |
Gong X, Short M P, Auger T, et al. Environmental degradation of structural materials in liquid lead- and lead-bismuth eutectic-cooled reactors [J]. Prog. Mater. Sci., 2022, 126: 100920
|
| [10] |
Pisarevskiy L A, Korostelev A B, Filippov G A. Thermal aging of high-strength corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel and its thermal stability [J]. Metallurgist, 2021, 65: 265
|
| [11] |
Gorynin I V, Karzov G P, Markov V G, et al. Structural materials for atomic reactors with liquid metal heat-transfer agents in the form of lead or lead-bismuth alloy [J]. Met. Sci. Heat Treat., 1999, 41: 384
|
| [12] |
Korostelev A B, Evropin S V, Derzhavin A G, et al. Development of new construction materials for innovative reactor installation designs [J]. At. Energy, 2021, 129: 237
|
| [13] |
Yang K, Yan W, Wang Z G, et al. Development of a novel structural material (SIMP Steel) for nuclear equipment with balanced resistances to high temperature, radiation and liquid metal corrosion [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2016, 52: 1207
|
|
杨 柯, 严 伟, 王志光 等. 核用新型耐高温、抗辐照、耐液态金属腐蚀结构材料—SIMP钢的研究进展 [J]. 金属学报, 2016, 52: 1207
|
| [14] |
Zinkle S J, Was G S. Materials challenges in nuclear energy [J]. Acta Mater., 2013, 61: 735
|
| [15] |
Was G S, Ukai S. Austenitic stainless steels [A]. Structural Alloys for Nuclear Energy Applications [M]. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2019: 293
|
| [16] |
Wu X Q, Rong L J, Tan J B, et al. Research advance on liquid lead-bismuth eutectic corrosion resistant Si enhanced ferritic/martensitic and austenitic stainless steels [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2023, 59: 502
|
|
吴欣强, 戎利建, 谭季波 等. 耐Pb-Bi腐蚀Si增强型铁素体/马氏体钢和奥氏体不锈钢的研究进展 [J]. 金属学报, 2023, 59: 502
|
| [17] |
Zhou Q G, Shi Q Q, Yan W, et al. Effect of normalizing temperature on mechanical properties of a Si-bearing high chromium martensitic heat resistant steel [J]. Chin. J. Mater. Res., 2013, 27: 461
|
|
周强国, 石全强, 严 伟 等. 正火温度对含硅型高铬马氏体耐热钢性能的影响 [J]. 材料研究学报, 2013, 27: 461
|
| [18] |
Wang J, Lu S P, Rong L J, et al. Effect of silicon on the oxidation resistance of 9 wt.% Cr heat resistance steels in 550 oC lead-bismuth eutectic [J]. Corros. Sci., 2016, 111: 13
|
| [19] |
Zhang L B, Ning F Q, Yan H, et al. The effect of Si on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of XSi9Cr ferritic/martensitic steel in oxygen-saturated lead-bismuth eutectic [J]. Corros. Sci., 2025, 255: 113079
|
| [20] |
Ma Z W, Shen T L, Zhu J H, et al. Microstructural evolution of SIMP steel under stress/lead-bismuth corrosion synergy [J]. Mater. Des., 2025, 259: 114942
|
| [21] |
Xu Z Y, Song L L, Zhao Y Y, et al. The formation mechanism and effect of amorphous SiO2 on the corrosion behaviour of Fe-Cr-Si ODS alloy in LBE at 550 oC [J]. Corros. Sci., 2021, 190: 109634
|
| [22] |
Lo K H, Shek C H, Lai J K L. Recent developments in stainless steels [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2009, R65: 39
|
| [23] |
Li X H, Cui G W, Chen S H, et al. Effect of silicon on precipitates of high-silicon austenitic stainless steel [J]. Rare Met. Mater. Eng., 2022, 51: 2769
|
|
李潇欢, 崔国伟, 陈思含 等. 硅对高硅奥氏体不锈钢析出相的影响 [J]. 稀有金属材料与工程, 2022, 51: 2769
|
| [24] |
Williams T M, Titchmarsh J M. Silicon-rich phases in austenitic alloys [J]. J. Nucl. Mater., 1981, 98: 223
|
| [25] |
Chen S H, Liang T, Zhang L, et al. Study on evolution mechanism of bcc phase during solution treatment in 6%Si high silicon austenitic stainless steel [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2017, 53: 397
|
|
陈思含, 梁 田, 张 龙 等. 6%Si高硅奥氏体不锈钢固溶处理过程中bcc相的演变机制研究 [J]. 金属学报, 2017, 53: 397
|
| [26] |
Chen S H, Liang T, Zhou Y T, et al. Phase characterization and formation behavior in 6 wt% Si high-silicon austenitic stainless steel during isothermal aging [J]. Acta Metall. Sin. (Engl. Lett.), 2021, 34: 649
|
| [27] |
Chen Y K, Wei S T, Wu D, et al. Effects of aging at 550 oC on α′-martensitic transformation of high Si-bearing metastable austenitic stainless steel weld metal [J]. Acta Metall. Sin. (Engl. Lett.), 2024, 37: 1467
|
| [28] |
Zhang Q K, Hu X F, Jiang H C, et al. Effect of Si on microstructure and mechanical properties of a 9Cr ferritic/martensitic steel [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2024, 60: 1200
|
|
张乾坤, 胡小锋, 姜海昌 等. Si对一种9Cr铁素体/马氏体钢显微组织和力学性能的影响 [J]. 金属学报, 2024, 60: 1200
|
| [29] |
Yi H Y, Liang T, Wang M, et al. Effects of silicon on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 15-15Ti stainless steel [J]. Acta Metall. Sin. (Engl. Lett.), 2020, 33: 1583
|
| [30] |
Chen Y K, Wei T, Wu D, et al. Mechanism of δ-ferrite decomposition in high Si-bearing austenitic stainless steel weld metal during aging at 550 oC [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2023, A876: 145163
|
| [31] |
Padilha A F, Rios P R. Decomposition of austenite in austenitic stainless steels [J]. ISIJ Int., 2002, 42: 325
|
| [32] |
Singhal L K, Martin J W. The formation of ferrite and sigma-phase in some austenitic stainless steels [J]. Acta Metall., 1968, 16: 1441
|
| [33] |
Pan X, Zhang Y P, Dong Z H, et al. Effect of pre-oxidation treatment on the corrosion resistance in stagnant liquid Pb-Bi eutectic of 12Cr ferritic/martensitic steel [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2024, 60: 639
|
|
潘 霞, 张洋鹏, 董志宏 等. 预氧化处理对12Cr铁素体/马氏体钢耐Pb-Bi腐蚀性能的影响 [J]. 金属学报, 2024, 60: 639
|
| [34] |
Wu L K, Wu J J, Wu W Y, et al. Hot corrosion behavior of electrodeposited SiO2 coating on TiAl alloy [J]. Corros. Sci., 2020, 174: 108827
|
| [35] |
Zhang L L, Yan W, Shi Q Q, et al. Silicon enhances high temperature oxidation resistance of SIMP steel at 700 oC [J]. Corros. Sci., 2020, 167: 108519
|
| [36] |
Zhang Y P, Pan X, Cao X Y, et al. Effect of oxidation temperature on microstructure and liquid lead-bismuth eutectic corrosion resistance of pre-oxidized film on high-silicon ferritic/martensitic steel [J]. J. Nucl. Mater., 2025, 615: 155931
|
| [37] |
Cao X Y, You J H, Zhang Y P, et al. Formation mechanism of localized corrosion area for pre-oxidized high-silicon ferritic/martensitic steel immersing in the oxygen-saturated liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) [J]. Ann. Nucl. Energy, 2026, 225: 111779
|
| [38] |
Schroer C, Konys J. Physical chemistry of corrosion and oxygen control in liquid lead and lead-bismuth eutectic [R]. Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe: Institut für Materialforschung, Programm Nukleare Sicherheitsforschung, 2007
|
| [39] |
Li J, Zhang X C, Ma H B, et al. Effect of silicon and aluminum addition on corrosion behavior of ODS iron-based alloys in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic [J]. Acta Metall. Sin. (Engl. Lett.), 2023, 36: 732
|
| [40] |
Zhou H T, Wang L L, Wang M, et al. Influence of Al-content on corrosion resistance of alumina-forming austinite steel in molten Pb-Bi alloy eutectic [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2025, 45: 1563
|
|
周洪涛, 王琳琳, 王 旻 等. Al含量对AFA钢耐铅铋腐蚀性能的影响 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45: 1563
|
| [41] |
Zhang D C, Zhang X X, Zhang J, et al. Understanding corrosion behavior differences of Al-modified and Si-modified austenitic steels in lead-bismuth eutectic with 10-6 wt% oxygen at 600 oC for up to 6000 h through multiscale characterization [J]. Corros. Sci., 2025, 255: 113099
|
| [42] |
Zhang L L, Yan W, Shi X B, et al. On oxidation film structure of SIMP steel exposed in stagnant oxygen-saturated LBE at 600 oC [J]. Corros. Sci., 2024, 230: 111927
|
| [43] |
Shi H, Wang H, Fetzer R, et al. Influence of Si addition on the corrosion behavior of 9 wt% Cr ferritic/martensitic steels exposed to oxygen-controlled molten Pb-Bi eutectic at 550 and 600 oC [J]. Corros. Sci., 2021, 193: 109871
|
| [44] |
Xie A, Chen S H, Yin L C, et al. Microstructural evolution of the inner oxide layer of a Si-modified austenitic stainless steel exposed to oxygen-saturated lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE): Toward the origin of LBE penetration [J]. Corros. Sci., 2024, 237: 112350
|
| [45] |
Gorynin V I, Stolniy V I, Olenin M I, et al. Influence of technology factors on the quality of sheet preparations from 10Cr15Ni9Si3Nb1-SH (EP302-SH) steel [J]. St Petersburg State Polytech. Univ. J., 2015, 214: 130
|
| [46] |
Kurata Y. Corrosion behavior of Si-enriched steels for nuclear applications in liquid lead-bismuth [J]. J. Nucl. Mater., 2013, 437: 401
|
| [47] |
Roy M, Martinelli L, Ginestar K, et al. Dissolution and oxidation behaviour of various austenitic steels and Ni rich alloys in lead-bismuth eutectic at 520 °C [J]. J. Nucl. Mater., 2016, 468: 153
|
| [48] |
Kurata Y, Futakawa M. Excellent corrosion resistance of 18Cr-20Ni-5Si steel in liquid Pb-Bi [J]. J. Nucl. Mater., 2004, 325: 217
|
| [49] |
Xie A, Chen S H, Chen S H, et al. Austenite decomposition behavior adjacent to δ-ferrite in a Si-modified Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steel during thermal aging at 550 oC [J]. Acta Mater., 2024, 272: 119948
|
| [50] |
Zhang S Z, Shi X B, Su Y F, et al. G phase and ferrite in a high Si austenitic stainless steel during 510 oC aging [J]. Mater. Charact., 2024, 207: 113587
|
| [51] |
Zhang S Z, Zhu H Y, Su Y F, et al. High temperature stress relaxation behavior of high Si, Mo-doped austenitic stainless steels [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2024, A916: 147330
|
| [52] |
Zhang S Z, Shi X B, Su Y F, et al. Stress relaxation behavior of a Nb-stabilized austenitic stainless steel at 550 oC [J]. Acta Metall. Sin. (Engl. Lett.), 2023, 36: 2079
|
| [53] |
Zhang S Z, Shi X B, Liang Y, et al. χ phase and its effect on the mechanical properties of a Mo-bearing high-Si austenitic stainless steel after aging at 650 oC [J]. J. Mater. Res. Technol., 2023, 23: 4280
|
| [54] |
Burnett T L, Geurts R, Jazaeri H, et al. Multiscale 3D analysis of creep cavities in AISI type 316 stainless steel [J]. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2015, 31: 522
|
| [55] |
Williams T M, Titchmarsh J M, Arkell D R. Void-swelling and precipitation in a neutron-irradiated, niobium-stabilised austenitic stainless steel [J]. J. Nucl. Mater., 1982, 107: 222
|
| [56] |
Su Y F, Shi X B, Zhang S Z, et al. Microstructure evolution and impact toughness degradation of a 3.6%Si austenitic stainless steel during high-temperature exposure [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2024, A913: 147063
|
| [57] |
Su Y F, Zhang S Z, Shi X B, et al. Precipitate evolution and mechanical properties of Si-modified A286 alloy aged at 510 oC [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2024, A899: 146478
|
| [58] |
Su Y F, Zhang S Z, Jiao S X, et al. Mediating coherent L12 phase precipitation via two-step aging in Si-modified A-286 alloy [J]. Scr. Mater., 2025, 261: 116611
|
| [59] |
Kasper J S. The ordering of atoms in the chi-phase of the iron-chromium-molybdenum system [J]. Acta Metall., 1954, 2: 456
|
| [60] |
Okafor I C I, Carlson O N. Equilibrium studies on a chi phase-strengthened ferritic alloy [J]. Metall. Trans., 1978, 9A: 1651
|
| [61] |
Lu S Y, Zhang T K, Yang C Q, et al. Stainless Steels [M]. Beijing: Atomic Energy Press, 1995: 202
|
|
陆世英, 张廷凯, 杨长强 等. 不锈钢 [M]. 北京: 原子能出版社, 1995: 202
|
| [62] |
OECD/NEA Nuclear Science Committee Working Party on Scientific Issues of the Fuel Cycle Working Group on Lead-Bismuth Eutectic, translated by Rong L J, Zhang Y T, Lu S P, et al. Handbook on Lead-Bismuth Eutectic Alloy and Lead—Properties, Materials Compatibility, Thermalhydraulics and Technologies [M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2014: 72
|
|
(OECD/NEA Nuclear Science Committee Working Party on Scientific Issues of the Fuel Cycle Working Group on Lead-Bismuth Eutectic编, 戎利建, 张玉妥, 陆善平等译. 铅与铅铋共晶合金手册——性能、材料相容性、热工水力学和技术 [M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2014: 72)
|
| [63] |
Yang Q L. Secondary Phase in Steels [M]. Beijing: Metallurgical Industry Press, 2006: 488
|
|
雍岐龙. 钢铁材料中的第二相 [M]. 北京: 冶金工业出版社, 2006: 488
|
| [64] |
Su Y F, Zhang S Z, Jiao S X, et al. Nitrogen enhances microstructural thermal stability of Si-modified Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steel [J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2025, 226: 270
|
| [65] |
Nembach E, Neite G. Precipitation hardening of superalloys by ordered γ′-particles [J]. Prog. Mater. Sci., 1985, 29: 177
|
| [66] |
Murakumo T, Kobayashi T, Koizumi Y, et al. Creep behaviour of Ni-base single-crystal superalloys with various γ′ volume fraction [J]. Acta Mater., 2004, 52: 3737
|
| [67] |
Su Y F, Zhang S Z, Jiao S X, et al. Microstructural stability of L12-strengthened Si-modified Fe-Cr-Ni alloy during 510-600 oC thermal aging [J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2026, 244: 246
|
| No Suggested Reading articles found! |
|
|
Viewed |
|
|
|
Full text
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
|
Cited |
|
|
|
|
| |
Shared |
|
|
|
|
| |
Discussed |
|
|
|
|