Articles tagged with "stainless-steel"
New super steel could protect nuclear reactors from lead corrosion
A breakthrough study by researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology has revealed the rapid and severe corrosion mechanism of AISI 316L stainless steel when exposed to liquid lead at high temperatures (up to 800°C or 1472°F). Contrary to previous assumptions that a protective iron oxide layer forms, the study found that an ultra-thin liquid lead film—only one micron thick—triggers nickel leaching from the steel. This nickel dissolves into the lead, leaving behind a weak, porous ferritic structure prone to being eroded by flowing lead coolant, resulting in metal loss measured in millimeters per year rather than microns. Because this corrosion process fundamentally attacks the steel’s composition, simply modifying the alloy is unlikely to prevent degradation. Instead, the researchers propose a layered composite solution using alumina-forming ferritic steels (FeCrAl), which develop a self-healing alumina (Al2O3) film that resists lead corrosion even at extreme temperatures. When combined with conventional
materialsstainless-steelcorrosion-resistancenuclear-reactorssuper-steelhigh-temperature-materialsmetal-corrosionFlatpack washer gives remote households fast, water-saving laundry
The Divya flatpack manual washing machine is an innovative, electricity-free laundry solution designed for remote households without access to power grids. Created to ease the labor-intensive process of hand washing clothes, it significantly reduces water usage by about 50% and cuts washing time by up to 70% compared to traditional methods. Its large drum accommodates the laundry needs of big families, and the fully mechanical operation makes it practical for low-income communities that cannot afford electric appliances. Constructed with a stainless steel frame and commercial-grade internal parts, the machine is durable, rust-resistant, and easy to repair using commonly available hardware store components. Its modular flatpack design allows for easy disassembly, transport, and assembly without special tools, making it ideal for temporary settlements or rented homes. Users operate the machine by turning an external handle to spin the drum, with only a short period requiring physical effort, thereby reducing strain and improving washing efficiency. Recent upgrades introduced in the latest model include a built-in scrubber with a textured
energymaterialsoff-grid-technologywater-saving-appliancesmanual-washing-machinestainless-steelsustainable-livingOne startup’s paper-thin stainless steel could change how bridges are built
The article discusses a startup, Allium, that has developed a novel stainless steel-clad rebar designed to significantly improve the durability of concrete bridges by preventing corrosion. Traditional steel rebar embedded in concrete is prone to rust, especially in bridges exposed to water and salt, leading to premature structural failure. While stainless steel rebar resists corrosion, its high cost limits its use to only the most critical bridges. Allium’s innovation involves covering conventional rebar with a thin layer (about 0.2 mm) of stainless steel, which can extend a bridge’s lifespan from 30 to 100 years. This approach aims to offer corrosion resistance comparable to full stainless steel rebar but at a cost similar to or potentially lower than epoxy-coated rebar, the current mid-tier solution. Allium’s stainless-clad rebar has already been used in several bridge deck replacements in the U.S., including projects in Massachusetts, California, and Florida. Unlike epoxy-coated rebar, which requires careful handling,
materialsstainless-steelcorrosion-resistancebridge-constructioninfrastructurerebarconcrete-reinforcementArgonne studies 3D-printed steels for next-gen nuclear reactors
Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have conducted studies on 3D-printed stainless steels to support the development of next-generation nuclear reactor components. Using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), an additive manufacturing technique, they produced samples of two key alloys: 316H, a conventional stainless steel used in reactors, and Alloy 709 (A709), a newer alloy designed for advanced nuclear applications. The LPBF process creates unique microstructural features due to rapid heating and cooling, including numerous dislocations that can both strengthen the steel and increase its susceptibility to fracture. Heat treatments are applied to relieve stress by allowing atomic rearrangement, but some dislocations may be retained to enhance performance. The studies revealed significant differences between 3D-printed and conventionally wrought steels, particularly in how the printed materials respond to heat treatments. For 316H, experiments using advanced microscopy and in situ X-ray diffraction showed that nano oxides—common defects in 3D-printed
materials3D-printingadditive-manufacturingstainless-steelnuclear-reactorsheat-treatmentlaser-powder-bed-fusionOxford images hydrogen defects in steel for safer aircraft, fusion
Researchers from the University of Oxford and Brookhaven National Laboratory have conducted a pioneering real-time 3D imaging experiment to observe how hydrogen affects defects inside stainless steel. Using an ultra-bright X-ray beam and Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging at the Advanced Photon Source in the US, they tracked the behavior of dislocations—tiny internal defects—when exposed to hydrogen. The study revealed that hydrogen acts like an atomic-level lubricant, enabling defects to move and reshape more easily, causes unexpected upward movement (climb) of these defects, and reduces internal stress through a process termed hydrogen elastic shielding. These changes collectively weaken the metal, making it more brittle and vulnerable to failure. This breakthrough provides critical insights into hydrogen embrittlement, a major challenge for the safe use of hydrogen as a clean energy source in sectors like aviation, nuclear fusion, and heavy-duty transport. By directly observing atomic-scale interactions non-destructively and in real time, the research offers new understanding that can improve multi-scale simulation models
energymaterials-sciencehydrogen-embrittlementstainless-steelnuclear-fusionclean-energymetal-defectsSpaceX Starship survives harsh reentry with heat shield, flaps intact
SpaceX’s Starship completed its 10th test flight, successfully demonstrating key systems despite enduring intense reentry conditions. The spacecraft’s stainless steel body showed burn marks, dents, and scorched tiles after splashing down in the Indian Ocean, highlighting the extreme heat and friction it faced. Notably, the heat shield—comprising thousands of silica tiles—was tested with new metal tiles and intentional gaps, resulting in dramatic orange and red streaks from rusted tiles and white patches where insulation replaced lost tiles. Despite this damage, the heat shield held firm, providing valuable data for engineers to improve its resilience. The flight also tested Starship’s large flaps, which guide the vehicle during its belly flop descent. These flaps endured red-hot temperatures and partial ablative layer burn-off but successfully controlled the spacecraft’s descent and splashdown. Additionally, Starship’s payload bay was used for the first time to deploy eight dummy Starlink satellites, proving its capability to handle real missions. The six
materialsaerospace-engineeringheat-shield-technologystainless-steelthermal-protectionSpaceXspacecraft-durability3D-printed steel endures month-long trial in extreme nuclear reactor
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have successfully tested 3D-printed capsules made from 316H stainless steel in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), one of the world’s most intense neutron flux environments. These capsules, produced using a laser powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing process, were designed to hold sample materials during irradiation experiments that simulate extreme nuclear reactor conditions. After a month-long irradiation period, the capsules remained fully intact, demonstrating that additively manufactured components can meet the stringent safety and performance standards required in nuclear environments. This milestone highlights the potential for additive manufacturing to revolutionize the production of critical nuclear reactor components by significantly reducing fabrication time and costs compared to traditional methods. The 316H stainless steel used offers high-temperature strength, corrosion and radiation resistance, and proven nuclear-grade weldability. The success of this test paves the way for broader adoption of 3D printing in nuclear materials and fuels research, enabling faster innovation and qualification of advanced reactor technologies. The
3D-printingstainless-steelnuclear-reactoradditive-manufacturingmaterials-testingirradiation-experimentsenergy-materials3x boost: US scientists increase bridge lifespan with corrosion-resistant steel
materialscorrosion-resistantinfrastructurestainless-steelrebarconstructionengineering