Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry
The necessity for lightweight components in the nuclear sector is driven by the requirement to minimize the total weight of the fuel. Aluminum alloys have emerged as the primary choice for incorporation into the nuclear fuel structure of research reactors, primarily serving as a cladding material fo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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De Gruyter
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Reviews on Advanced Materials Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2025-0122 |
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| author | Al Hasa Muhammad Husna Adi Wisnu Ari Djuhana Dede Handoko Djati Masrukan Masrukan Alhasa Kemal Maulana Sudjadi Usman |
| author_facet | Al Hasa Muhammad Husna Adi Wisnu Ari Djuhana Dede Handoko Djati Masrukan Masrukan Alhasa Kemal Maulana Sudjadi Usman |
| author_sort | Al Hasa Muhammad Husna |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The necessity for lightweight components in the nuclear sector is driven by the requirement to minimize the total weight of the fuel. Aluminum alloys have emerged as the primary choice for incorporation into the nuclear fuel structure of research reactors, primarily serving as a cladding material for the containment of uranium fuel. Their utilization is driven by their ability to fulfill the prerequisite of having a lower relative density than other metals, thereby contributing to a reduction in the total weight of the fuel. Furthermore, they demonstrate superior mechanical properties, thermal characteristics, and corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloys, such as AlFeNi and Al 6061 (AlMgSi), showcase commendable mechanical attributes, thermal behavior, and stability, being amenable to strengthening through specific heat treatments, consequently demonstrating favorable performance as cladding materials in nuclear applications and thereby extending the lifespan of the fuel. Additionally, aluminum alloys have a very small neutron absorption cross-section, so neutron absorption is relatively low, and more neutrons will be transmitted to the fuel. This study presents a literature review on aluminum alloys from various experiments for use in the nuclear industry, detailing their production methods, and elucidating their influence on mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and stability, focusing on recent research findings. Furthermore, this review outlines existing challenges and offers a comprehensive roadmap for prospective research. The strength of the cladding material should be increased to encase high-density fuel, which will impact the fuel’s lifespan, thereby making it more economically efficient. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06e7d35b52d044f7a63a514863e86a3f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1605-8127 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | De Gruyter |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reviews on Advanced Materials Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-06e7d35b52d044f7a63a514863e86a3f2025-08-20T03:50:11ZengDe GruyterReviews on Advanced Materials Science1605-81272025-07-01641id. 11137282710.1515/rams-2025-0122Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industryAl Hasa Muhammad Husna0Adi Wisnu Ari1Djuhana Dede2Handoko Djati3Masrukan Masrukan4Alhasa Kemal Maulana5Sudjadi Usman6Research Center for Nuclear Fuel and Radioactive Waste Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, IndonesiaResearch Center for Advanced Material, National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, IndonesiaDepartment of Physics, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, IndonesiaDepartment of Physics, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, IndonesiaResearch Center for Nuclear Fuel and Radioactive Waste Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, IndonesiaResearch Center for Environmental and Clean Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, IndonesiaResearch Center for Nuclear Fuel and Radioactive Waste Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, IndonesiaThe necessity for lightweight components in the nuclear sector is driven by the requirement to minimize the total weight of the fuel. Aluminum alloys have emerged as the primary choice for incorporation into the nuclear fuel structure of research reactors, primarily serving as a cladding material for the containment of uranium fuel. Their utilization is driven by their ability to fulfill the prerequisite of having a lower relative density than other metals, thereby contributing to a reduction in the total weight of the fuel. Furthermore, they demonstrate superior mechanical properties, thermal characteristics, and corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloys, such as AlFeNi and Al 6061 (AlMgSi), showcase commendable mechanical attributes, thermal behavior, and stability, being amenable to strengthening through specific heat treatments, consequently demonstrating favorable performance as cladding materials in nuclear applications and thereby extending the lifespan of the fuel. Additionally, aluminum alloys have a very small neutron absorption cross-section, so neutron absorption is relatively low, and more neutrons will be transmitted to the fuel. This study presents a literature review on aluminum alloys from various experiments for use in the nuclear industry, detailing their production methods, and elucidating their influence on mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and stability, focusing on recent research findings. Furthermore, this review outlines existing challenges and offers a comprehensive roadmap for prospective research. The strength of the cladding material should be increased to encase high-density fuel, which will impact the fuel’s lifespan, thereby making it more economically efficient.https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2025-0122developmentaluminum alloycladdingnuclear materials |
| spellingShingle | Al Hasa Muhammad Husna Adi Wisnu Ari Djuhana Dede Handoko Djati Masrukan Masrukan Alhasa Kemal Maulana Sudjadi Usman Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry Reviews on Advanced Materials Science development aluminum alloy cladding nuclear materials |
| title | Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry |
| title_full | Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry |
| title_fullStr | Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry |
| title_full_unstemmed | Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry |
| title_short | Review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry |
| title_sort | review of the development and application of aluminum alloys in the nuclear industry |
| topic | development aluminum alloy cladding nuclear materials |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2025-0122 |
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