Parametric study of 15Cr / 15Ni austenitic steels swelling behavior under irradiation using cluster dynamics

Abstract : As part of the research program on generation IV reactors, CEA is developing new grades of austen-itic steels for the fuel cladding of Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR). Austenitic stainless steels show ex-cellent properties in SFR’s extreme operating conditions: corrosive environment, high operating tem-perature (400-700 ° C) and highly energetic neutron flux. However, the appearance of the swelling phenomenon under irradiation limits cladding lifespan. The most optimized French grade is AIM1, a 15Cr-15Ni austenitic stabilized steel, which sustain doses up to 100 displacements per atom (dpa).