Review paper on phase field modelling of corrosion in molten salt reactors

As the world increasingly adopts nuclear power to meet growing energy demands, Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are emerging as a promising solution due to their safety, cost-efficiency, and non-proliferation characteristics. MSRs employ molten salt for both fuel and coolant purposes, enabling high-temperature operation and maximizing efficiency. However, the direct interaction of molten salt with reactor materials poses corrosion risks like stress corrosion cracking and dealloying. Addressing corrosion is a major challenge in MSR development and deployment. In this review article, we conducted a small-scale literature review on corrosion of candidate alloys used in simulated environments for reactor components thus far. Additionally, we propose employing phase-field modelling, which is a method for modelling microstructures to anticipate the evolution of microstructures in MSRs. This approach offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of corrosion, thus contributing to a better understanding of how corrosion occurs in MSRs. Our objective is to develop effective methodologies that mitigate corrosion in alloys exposed to molten salts in MSRs. (author)