Influence of long-term sodium exposure on the composition and microstructure of austenitic alloys

Abstract

Austenitic alloys (Types 304, 316, 321, 347 stainless steel and Incoloy-800) were exposed to flowing sodium in out-of-pile test loops at 704 °C (1300 °F) and 621 °C (1150 °F) for varying times up to 15726 h. Changes in chemical composition and microstructure increased with increasing exposure time. Major alloying elements (Cr, Ni, Mn) were depleted from surface layers up to 130 μm thick. Unstabilized alloys (Types 304 and 316) lost carbon during exposure while stabilized alloys (Types 321, 347 and I-800) tended to gain carbon. Variations in other minor elements with exposure were determined. Changes in microstructure reflected the compositional changes in all the alloys. Specimens were examined by optical, transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy. A ferrite layer formed at the sodium exposed surface of all alloys except Incoloy-800. Sigma phase precipitation increased with exposure time. In the stabilized alloys cavities formed up to 120 μm below the sodium-exposed surface. The subsurface cavities appeared to be connected to surface pits via intergranular channels and were related to a decrease in density observed in the specimens.