Mechanical Properties and Cracking Behavior of High-Temperature Heat-Exchanger Materials

The structural materials selected for high-temperature heat-exchanger applications are expected to withstand very severe operating conditions including elevated temperatures and aggressive chemical species during hydrogen generation using nuclear power. Three different cycles namely sulfur-iodine, calcium-bromine and high temperature electrolysis have been identified for hydrogen generation. Three different structural materials namely Alloy C-22, Alloy C-276 and Waspaloy have been tested to evaluate their high-temperature tensile properties and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance in an acidic solution. The data indicate that all three alloys are capable of maintaining appreciably high tensile strength upto a temperature of 600°C. The results of SCC testing indicate that all three materials are highly resistant to cracking in an acidic solution retaining much of their ductility and time to failure in the tested environment. Fractographic evaluation by scanning electron microscopy revealed dimple microstructure indicating significant ductility in all three alloys.