Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel alloy, with improved resistance to radiation-induced swelling and helium embrittlement, and improved resistance to thermal creep at high temperatures, consisting essentially of, by weight percent: from 16 to 18% nickel; from 13 to 17% chromium; from 2 to 3% molybdenum; from 1.5 to 2.5% manganese; from 0.01 to 0.5% silicon; from 0.2 to 0.4% titanium; from 0.1 to 0.2% niobium; from 0.1 to 0.6% vanadium; from 0.06 to 0.12% carbon; from 0.01% to 0.03% nitrogen; from 0.03 to 0.08% phosphorus; from 0.005 to 0.01% boron; and the balance iron, and wherein the alloy may be thermomechanically treated to enhance physical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: An essentially gamma-prime precipitation-hardened iron-chromium-nickel alloy has been designed with emphasis on minimum nickel and chromium contents to reduce the swelling tendencies of these alloys when used in liquid metal fast breeder reactors. The precipitation-hardening components have been designed for phase stability and such residual elements as silicon and boron, also have been selected to minimize swelling. Using the properties of these alloys in one design would result in an increased breeding ratio over 20% cold worked stainless steel, a reference material, of 1.239 to 1.310 and a reduced doubling time from 15.8 to 11.4 years.The gross stoichiometry of the alloying composition comprises from about 0.04% to about 0.06% carbon, from about 0.05% to about 1.0% silicon, up to about 0.1% zirconium, up to about 0.5% vanadium, from about 24% to about 31% nickel, from 8% to about 11% chromium, from about 1.7% to about 3.5% titanium, from about 1.0% to about 1.8% aluminum, from about 0.9% to about 3.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that radiation-induced voids which occur during fast neutron irradiation can be controlled by small but effective additions of titanium and silicon. The void-suppressing effect of these metals in combination is demonstrated and particularly apparent in austenitic stainless steels.

Abstract: An alloy consisting essentially of from about 14% to 19% chromium, from 25 to 35% of nickel, from about 2% to 3% molybdenum, from about 0.1% to 1% of silicon, up to 0.5% of manganese, from about 0.03 to 0.05% carbon, up to about 0.01% sulfur, up to about 0.01% of phosphorus, up to 0.01% boron, up to about 0.01% oxygen, up to about 0.02% nitrogen, small amounts of incidental impurities, and the balance being iron, the alloy having an N.sub.v (average electron vacancy number) value of between 1.6 and 2.8, has an unexpected combination of properties enabling it to be formed by hot and cold working and heat treatment into components and members particularly suitable for use in nuclear reactors wherein the components are subjected to molten sodium, where the corrosion of the surface of the alloy is not in excess of the order of 1 to 2 mils per year, and the alloy exhibits low swelling when exposed to intense radiation, while exhibiting good physical properties at temperatures of up to 1325.degree. F.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that radiation-induced voids which occur during fast neutron irradiation can be controlled by small but effective additions of titanium and silicon. The void-suppressing effect of these metals in combination is demonstrated and particularly apparent in austenitic stainless steels.