This project will expand the research conducted in the current FES project (T06-Q10) by adding new analyses on Inconel 617 (IN617) samples fabricated using the laser powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) process. The additional analyses will provide a better understanding of the behavior of additively manufactured components under extreme conditions typical for molten-salt small modular reactors (SMRs).

Molten-salt SMRs operate at high temperatures, 650-750°C, and use molten fluoride salts as a coolant and full carrier. These harsh environments accelerate corrosion in structural materials, raising safety concerns. Understanding corrosion mechanisms and microstructural and phase modifications is crucial for developing materials that can withstand these extreme, harsh conditions.

To address the challenges of material performance, advanced characterization of the samples, such as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and high-temperature mechanical tests, will be conducted. The TEM tests will be useful for studying microstructural changes, while XRD will be useful for identifying crystalline phases both before and after corrosion. High-temperature mechanical tests, including hardness and creep tests, are proposed to provide an understanding of the microstructural stability and the mechanical performance of IN617 under extreme conditions, helping to predict the material's behavior in molten salt SMRs.