Alloy 617 (IN-617) has recently been approved for pressure vessels in nuclear reactors. It can now be used in the design and construction of the next generation of nuclear reactors including molten salt, high-temperature, gas-cooled and sodium reactors. Here is a link to one of the articles regarding its new approval: https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/nuclear/new-alloy-has-important-implications-for-advanced-nuclear/

The chapter in the CINDAS LLC Aerospace Structural Metals Database (ASMD) on IN-617 was written in 1994, and as a result is being updated with new information.

The alloy is applicable in high-temperature reactors because it resists corrosion and remains dimensionally stable over time at temperatures more than twice the temperatures seen in light water reactors. The nickel, chromium, cobalt and molybdenum alloy can be used in reactors that operate up to 950^oC. The developmental and testing project (funded by the Department of Energy) took over twelve years at the Idaho National Lab, followed by the approval process which took over three years, with approval finally given in 2019.

In addition to the importance of future nuclear reactor design, IN-617 can be used in natural gas power plants and other high-temperature applications.

This chapter is being revised by Dan DeAntonio who has written eight previous chapters for CINDAS LLC. His BS in Metallurgy is from Penn State University. He had a 36-year career with Carpenter Technology in Reading, PA, during which time he served as a product metallurgist, application engineer and marketing manager. Dan's process metallurgy experience and market knowledge makes him well suited to update the chapter on IN-617.