Corrosion Issues in Current and Next-Generation Nuclear Reactors

Abstract Corrosion of structural components in nuclear power plants is a major issue impacting plant capacity factor and operational costs, and it will continue to grow in importance both in light-water reactors (LWRs) receiving life extensions and in next-generation systems. This chapter reviews the corrosion processes, mechanisms, and consequences of the coolants currently in use and expected in GenIV reactors. These include LWR coolants; primary and secondary water systems in pressurized water reactors, and normal and hydrogen water chemistries in boiling water reactors, as well as supercritical water in the supercritical water reactor. Corrosion, carburization, and decarburization due to impurities in high-temperature helium are covered as well as corrosion in molten salt and liquid metals including sodium and lead alloys. Together, these coolants cover the majority of current and next-generation environments in which structural materials must function.