Lifetimes of Aluminum metal in nuclear reactors or
other chemical environments can be improved by new treatment with Carbon
Nanotube.
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One of the most important difficulty in nuclear
reactors is limited operating lifetime because of exposion of metals to heavy
radiation environment resulted cracking and then failure. MIT researchers has
found the positive effects of CNT addition to the metal on this obstruction.
However, this study is only valid for usage of Al metal at lower temperature
conditions. Improvement of operating lifetime of Aluminum had significant
importance because it is used in different area such as reactor components,
nuclear batteries, spacecraft and container for nuclear waste. When the CNT was dispersed in the metal
uniformly, the radiation damage for long periods can reduced without any
degradation. Radiation exposure causes dwelling of Helium atoms inside the
metals’ grain boundaries as the form of tiny bubbles thus the materials will be
weakened and brittle. Small fraction of Carbon Nanotube can form a
one-dimensional transport network which provides pathways for Helium to go
outside from the metals. Tests shows that radiation exposure was chemically
altered CNT within the metal to carbides without shape change. This provides
reduction in point defects by radiation which decreases brittleness of
materials thus mechanical performance of metals are enhanced by the small
addition of Carbon nanotubes. The research group also is planning to examine
similar tests for zirconium metal which is important for high temperature
reactor applications.
For more information: http://news.mit.edu/2016/carbon-nanotubes-improve-metal-longevity-under-radiation-0302
http://nanografi.com/blog/usage-of-carbon-nanotube-for-improvement-in-metals-longevity/
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