DISPERSION-STRENGTHENED ALUMINIUM POWDER PRODUCTS FOR NUCLEAR APPLICATION

Abstract

The main properties of sintered aluminium products (SAP) of interest when consideringtheir application in nuclear technology are strength, elongation, corrosion-resistance, homogeneity, purity, compatibility with fuel, and resistance to irradiation damage. These properties are discussed briefly in connection with commercial products.Sintered aluminium products consist of oxide particles finely dispersed in aluminium, normally subdivided into grains. The effect on tensile and creep properties of parameters such as size and volume fraction of the oxide particles and the grain size of the aluminium, is considered in relation to both commercial and experimental materials. Examination of low-oxide material in the as-extruded and in the recrystallized state shows that the oxide particles are mainly responsible for the high strength and low elongation found in sintered aluminium products at elevated temperatures. The matrix grain size contributes to the tensile strength, in reasonable agreement with the behaviour found in pure aluminium, whereas an effect on elongation has not been observed.