High Entropy Alloy Structural Component for Nuclear Reactor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current structural components for nuclear fission reactors face challenges in hardness, ductility, creep resistance, oxidation, and hydrogen absorption, which are not adequately addressed by existing alloys.
Innovation Solution
Development of high entropy alloys (HEAs) with a concentration of principal elements between 10-50 molar-%, specifically ZrTiNbV, ZrTiNbVMo, ZrCrNbMo, MoNbTiZr, and NbTaVZr, which provide enhanced hardness, ductility, and resistance to creep and hydrogen absorption, suitable for use in nuclear reactor core components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional alloys (steel, Ni-alloys, zirconium-based alloys) are used, then manufacturing experience and availability are good, but hardness, ductility, and resistance to creep, oxidation, and hydrogen absorption are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the concentration ranges of multiple principal elements (each between 10-50 at%) in the high entropy alloy composition. This enables tailored adjustment of mechanical properties, creep resistance, oxidation resistance, and hydrogen absorption characteristics while maintaining the multi-principal-element structure, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by creating multi-principal-element high entropy alloys that combine five or more elements in significant concentrations. This composite approach at the atomic level produces a material with superior and tunable properties compared to conventional single-phase alloys, achieving both high reliability and versatility simultaneously.
2Strength
If high entropy alloys with multiple principal elements (10-50 molar-% each) are used, then hardness, ductility, and resistance to creep, oxidation, and hydrogen absorption are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific concentration ranges (10-50 at% for each principal element) that simplify the manufacturing process by providing clear compositional guidelines. This parameter specification enables consistent production of high entropy alloys with desired mechanical properties while controlling manufacturing complexity through standardized composition windows.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing alloys are used, then cost and manufacturing experience are favorable, but resistance to neutron radiation damage and customization of properties are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables customization of stiffness, density, and other properties by systematically adjusting the concentrations of five or more principal elements within defined ranges. Each element contributes differently to specific properties, allowing tailored design of alloy composition to achieve target property profiles while managing complexity through established concentration boundaries.
Data Source
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AI summary
A structural component (11) and a fuel assembly comprising the structural component are disclosed. The structural component is configured to be used in the core of a nuclear fission reactor and comprises at least a part (17) of a metallic alloy. The metallic alloy is a multi-principal-element alloy, which consists of at least four principal elements and of possible residual elements. The concentration of each of the principal elements in the metallic alloy is at most 50 molar-% and at least 10 molar-%.