REACTOR USE OF ALUMINUMDOE-HDBK-1017/2-93Plant MaterialsAluminum is attacked by both water and steam at temperatures above about 150C, but thistemperature can be raised by alloying with small percentages of up to 1.0% Fe (iron) and 2.5%Ni (nickel). These alloys are known as aerial alloys. The mechanism of attack is attributed tothe reaction Al + 3H2O Al(OH)3 +3H+ when the hydrogen ions diffuse through the hydroxidelayer and, on recombination, disrupt the adhesion of the protective coating.Aluminum-uranium alloys have been used as fuel elements in several research reactors. Enricheduranium is alloyed with 99.7% pure aluminum to form the alloy.Research has shown that radiation produces changes in both annealed and hardened aluminumand its alloys. Yield strength and tensile strength increase with irradiation. Data indicates thatyield strengths of annealed alloys are more effected by irradiation than tensile strengths. Theyield strengths and the tensile strengths of hardened alloys undergo about the same percentincrease as a result of irradiation. Irradiation tends to decrease the ductility of alloys. Stress-strain curves for an irradiated and an unirradiated control specimen are shown in Figure 8.Figure 8 illustrates the effect of neutron irradiation in increasing the yield strength and the tensilestrength and in decreasing ductility.Figure 8Effect of Irradiation on Tensile Properties of 2SO AluminumMS-05Page 50Rev. 0
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