Cr–Ni alloys for fusion reactors

Results of comparative study on the physical and mechanical properties, radiation and corrosion resistance of XHM-1 chromium-enriched alloy (44% Cr, Ni-base, 1–2% Mo, Registered name “Bochvalloy”) and stainless steels (00Cr16Ni15Mo3Nb, 06Cr18Ni10Ti) in the water coolant at temperature up to 350°C have been presented. The XHM-1 alloy is absolutely stable against corrosion cracking, which differs from the behavior of the stainless steels listed. Under tensile stress reaching the yield strength of the material, no corrosion-induced damage of the alloy has occurred in water with various chloride and oxygen contents at a temperature in the range of 50–350°C. In most of the cases, both change of the mechanical strength and relative elongation is not observed after irradiation of the alloy with a dose up to 32 dpa at a temperature of 350°C, which is another distinctive feature of the alloy, as compared to the steels. Concerning totality of the properties, the XHM-1 alloy is very promising material for water cooled fusion reactor components.