Ivan E. Locci

University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

Cheryl L. Bowman and Steven M. Geng

Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Malcolm G. Robbie

Analex Corporation, Brook Park, Ohio

Material Studies Related to the Use of NaK Heat 

Exchangers Coupled to Stirling Heater Heads

NASA/TM—2011-217001

April 2011

NETS–2011–3389
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Ivan E. Locci

University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

Cheryl L. Bowman and Steven M. Geng

Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Malcolm G. Robbie

Analex Corporation, Brook Park, Ohio

Material Studies Related to the Use of NaK Heat 

Exchangers Coupled to Stirling Heater Heads

NASA/TM—2011-217001

April 2011

NETS–2011–3389

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Glenn Research Center

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Prepared for the

Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS–2011)

cosponsored by the ANS Aerospace Nuclear Science and Technology Division, The ANS Trinity Section, 

and the AIAA

Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 7–10, 2011
Acknowledgments

This work was performed for the NASA Exploration Technology Development Project and the Fission Power Systems project. 

The author gratefully acknowledges the excellent technical assistance of Joy Buehler in the metallographic lab, Terry McCue 

and David Hull in the microscopy lab, Mark Jaster, John Juhas and Adrienne Veverka in the furnace room, Timothy Ubienski, 

Joseph Lavelle, Aldo Panzanella (RIP), Anthony Kapucinski in the specimen machining group, Louis Ghosn for help on the Finite 

Element Analysis (FEA), Robert Muto and Steve Prout from the American Brazing Company and Randy Bowman for excellent 

technical discussions.

Available from

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7115 Standard Drive

Hanover, MD 21076–1320

National Technical Information Service

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Available electronically at http://www.sti.nasa.gov

Trade names and trademarks are used in this report for identifi cation 

only. Their usage does not constitute an offi cial endorsement, 

either expressed or implied, by the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration.

Level of Review: This material has been technically reviewed by technical management. 
NASA/TM—2011-217001 1 

Material Studies Related to the Use of NaK Heat Exchangers 

Coupled to Stirling Heater Heads 

Ivan E. Locci 

University of Toledo 

Toledo, Ohio 43606 

Cheryl L. Bowman and Steven M. Geng 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Glenn Research Center 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135 

Malcolm G. Robbie

Analex Corporation 

Brook Park, Ohio 44142 

Abstract 

NASA has been supporting design studies and technology development that could provide power to 

an outpost on the Moon, Mars, or an asteroid. Technology development efforts have included fabrication 

and evaluation of components used in a Stirling engine power conversion system. Destructive material 

evaluation was performed on a NaK shell heat exchanger that was developed by the NASA Glenn 

Research Center (GRC) and integrated with a commercial 1 kWe Stirling convertor from Sunpower 

Incorporated. The NaK Stirling test demonstrated Stirling convertor electrical power generation using a 

pumped liquid metal heat source under thermal conditions that represent the heat exchanger liquid metal 

loop in a Fission Power Systems (FPS) reactor. The convertors were operated for a total test time of 66 hr 

at a maximum temperature of 823 K. After the test was completed and NaK removed, the heat exchanger 

assembly was sectioned to evaluate any material interactions with the flowing liquid metal. Several 

dissimilar-metal braze joint options, crucial for the heat exchanger transfer path, were also investigated. A 

comprehensive investigation was completed and lessons learned for future heat exchanger development 

efforts are discussed. 

Introduction 

Stirling engine power convertor technology is one option being explored for generating space-mission 

power. Fission power offers robust, environment-independent flexibility and adaptability for a broad 

range of space mission power requirements. The Fission Power Systems (FPS) Power Conversion 

Materials Risk Reduction team has been tasked with reviewing the materials and fabrication options for 

the free-piston Stirling power conversion candidate engine design. The Fission Surface Power System 

(FSPS) concept developed for the Moon and Mars would provide a net power of 40 kWe with a fullpower service life of 8 years (Fission Surface Power System Initial Concept Definition, 2010). Although 

the hot-end temperatures are lower for a candidate FPS Stirling convertor than those used in other 

successful systems, the relatively large heater head size and the NaK heat transfer fluid pose distinct 

challenges. Recently two P2A (formerly known as EG-1000) 1 kWe free-piston Stirling power 

convertors, purchased from Sunpower Incorporated, were retrofitted with experimental heater heads 

featuring NaK heat exchangers designed by the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to allow the 

convertors to be interfaced with a pumped NaK loop at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) 

(Mason, 2009). For this design, type 316L stainless steel (SS316L) is used as the exclusive containment 

material for the NaK. The convertors were operated at hot-end temperatures ranging from 673 to 823 K, 

cold-end temperatures from 303 to 343 K, and piston amplitudes ranging from 6 to 11 mm. The total NaK 
NASA/TM—2011-217001 2 

mass flow to both convertors ranged from 500 to 900 g/s. The NaK heat exchangers were operated for 

66 service hours, met all experimental objectives, and the test units operated as expected (Briggs, Geng, 

and Robbie, 2010). One of the two heat exchanger units was dissected to investigate potential material 

interactions and joint integrity. 

In addition to evaluating a specific technology development component, a second aspect of this 

investigation concentrated on the evaluation of joining options for several designs of the power 

conversion system hot-side heat exchanger (HX) components. Dissimilar metal joints are required to 

impart both mechanical strength and thermal path integrity for a FPS-type heater head. Type 316L 

stainless steel is the expected containment material for the flowing liquid metal NaK, but does not have 

the mechanical strength desired for a thin-wall pressure vessel. Inconel 718 (IN718) is a stronger alloy 

that has been used in previous heater head designs, but would need to be bonded to stainless steel to 

maintain a mono-metallic NaK flow loop. Either heater head envelop material probably would be bonded 

to a Cu heat acceptor to increase the surface area in contact with flowing He. This paper reports on the 

initial evaluation of nickel-based, gold-based and copper-based braze materials to join the various 

combinations of these component materials options. 

Materials Inspection of NaK Heat Exchanger 

Examination of the Dome Section

The integrated liquid metal heat exchanger / P2A heater head / convertor configuration for a single 

convertor is shown in Figure 1 (Briggs, Geng, and Robbie, 2010). The original fabrication design for the 

experimental stainless steel heater head called for the various joints to be fabricated by electron beam 

(EB) welding. However, due to some fabrication issues and deadlines, most welds of the component were 

fabricated by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Figure 1(b) shows the welded sections investigated after 

the NaK exposure. The initial sectioning for inspection of the heater head unit after the NaK exposure was 

done by wire electron discharge machining (EDM). The inlet and outlet pipes (cuts #1 and #2) were 

removed initially (Fig. 2(a)). The second major sectioning (cut #3) was done by splitting in half the main 

dome of the heat exchanger head (Fig 2(b)). 

Figure 1.—(a) Experimental NaK heater head installed on 1-kWe Stirling power convertor. 

(b) NaK heater head welded sections investigated. 

 
NASA/TM—2011-217001 3 

Figure 2.—Initial sectioning by wire EDM of the NaK heat exchanger. 

Figure 3.—(a) One-half section of the heater head showing assembly defects observed at the jacket loop/outlet pipe 

welding joint. (b) View of the gap left between the pipe insert and the heater head loop. 

The first noticeable shortcoming was observed at the joining section where the outlet pipe connects 

with the jacket loop of the heater head as observed in the one-half section of the heater head (Fig. 3(a)). A 

gap (Fig. 3(b)) is clearly noticeable near the joint between the insert and the jacket wall. It is possible that 

the insert, used to connect the pipe to the jacket, may have pressed and deformed the jacket wall, or 

perhaps the TIG welding operation may have distorted the thin jacket wall. This gap could trap the liquid 

metal and possibly create a crevice corrosion issue. “Metal bubbles”, sometimes described as nuggets, 

created during the welding operation, can also be observed in the interior of the jacket wall. Figure 4 

shows more detail of the metal bubbling features and the gap left between the insert and the wall jacket. 

A different fabrication situation occurred at the joining section where the inlet pipe connects to the 

heater head dome (Fig. 5). In this location, the pipe insert extended 1 to 2 mm beyond the head shell 

dome; this extension of the inlet pipe into the open section of the heat exchanger dome might create a 

flow disturbance in the liquid metal during operation, which could affect the heat transfer efficiency. 

Cut #1

Cut #2 Cut #3

(a) (b)

Pipe insert meets 

Jacket loop shell

Section where 

outlet pipe insert 

deformed the 

NaK jacket loop

(a) (b)
NASA/TM—2011-217001 4 

Figure 4.—Different view of the welding defects observed 

at the loop/outlet pipe joint. “metal bubbles” (nuggets) left 

from the welding process and open gap are visible. 

Figure 5.—NaK heat exchanger used for the 1 kWe Stirling test at MSFC 

showing the pipe insert extending 1 or 2 mm into the dome channel. 

Examination of the Internal Surfaces of the Connecting Pipes 

Figure 6 shows an incomplete filled butt weld joint clearly visible by the presence of a groove or 

channel inside the pipe. Localized internal oxidation near the heat affected zone (Fig. 6), revealed by the 

change of surface coloration, will be discussed later in detail. Hot spot metal nuggets that can disturb the 

liquid metal flow are also observed in some regions of the butt weld. 

Imaging and measurement of the groove depth observed in these joints is reported and presented in 

Figure 7. The depth of the groove/channel is approximately 110 m and the width near the pipe surface is 

approximately 300 m. 

A socket type weld which corresponds to an overlap of a pipe with an elbow, as shown in Figure 8, 

has left a step and an opening under the step, where liquid metal could penetrate and get trapped 

producing a situation of localized or crevice corrosion. If this overlap assembly is needed, a second weld 

should be made at end of the step to eliminate the possibility of any liquid metal concentration in the 

overlap region. 

Pipe insert extended 

beyond head shell dome
NASA/TM—2011-217001 5 

Figure 6.—Internal view of connecting pipe butt weld showing incomplete filling of the 

joint and the presence of hot spot metal nuggets on the inside surface of the pipe. 

Figure 7.—Imaging and measurement of the groove/channel depth 

observed in the butt weld after GTAW. 

Figure 8.—Section of the socket type weld that may require a second weld 

to eliminate the possibility of trapping liquid metal between the pipe and 

elbow walls. 
NASA/TM—2011-217001 6 

It was also noted that the welding of the support plates (Fig. 9), used to keep in place the pipes with 

respect to the heater head, has penetrated inside the pipe, leaving a slightly bulging surface on the internal 

surface of the pipe. These bulged surfaces might create non-desirable flow turbulence. 

Electron microscopy imaging and chemical analyses of regions near some of the incomplete filled welds 

revealed the presence of various oxide scales (Fig. 10) with varying degrees of detectable Na concentration. 

The Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS) presented in Figure 11, clearly reveals the presence of oxygen O 

and Na in the vicinity of the groove/channel (Fig. 10). Semi quantitative chemical spot analyses in a region 

near the butt welded groove/channel revealed consistently the presence of Na in the oxidized region. 

Figure 9.—The welding of support plates for the pipes produced 

bulging surfaces inside the pipe. 

Figure 10.—Backscattered electron microcopy 

image showing the groove, a partial view of a 

nugget and oxide scales that formed in the 

vicinity of the butt weld. Area used for the 

Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) 

analysis presented in Figure 11 is indicated. 

Figure 11.—EDS chemical analysis of the oxide scale of 

region indicated in Figure 10, showing the presence of 

O, Na, Fe, and Cr. 
NASA/TM—2011-217001 7 

Figure 12 shows a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) image of a polished cross 

section of a region near the butt weld joint where a ~8 m thick complex oxide scale is revealed. EDS 

analyses (Fig. 13) indicates the presence of higher levels of Na, Cr, and O in the dark phase compared to 

the white phase which seems to be enriched in Fe and Ni and, to a lesser degree, in Na. During the 

GTAW, the welded area (external region of the tubes) was protected from the environment by a shield of 

inert gas (normally argon). Most likely, the inside of the tubes during welding did not benefit from the 

outside gas shielding which resulted in a heat affected zone that oxidized during the joining operation. 

The presence of oxygen in liquid metals has been the subject of much research in the past (Hoffman, 

1967; Zimmerman, 1965; Hiltz, 1970). For many elements, the corrosion rate increases with the quantity 

of oxygen present in the alkali metal, and corrosion may be thought of as the interaction of the metal 

alkali oxide (i.e., Na2O) with the metal. In this fabrication assembly, oxide scales only formed in regions 

at or near the welds. No oxide scales were observed in regions away from the welded joints. Therefore, as 

NaK was introduced to the system, the oxide scales that formed in the vicinity of welds reacted with the 

flowing NaK, probably resulting in the formation of complex oxides such as NaCrO2 and Na4FeO3 

(Barker and Wood, 1971). 

Figure 12.—(a) Low and (b) High magnification FESEM cross section images showing the complex oxide scale that 

formed near a butt weld joint. 

Figure 13.—EDS analyses of the complex oxide scale phases that formed 

on the surface of the stainless steel tube. 

(a) (b)
NASA/TM—2011-217001 8 

Brazing of Dissimilar Metals 

A successful dissimilar-metal joint in this component application must provide mechanical integrity, 

thermal conductivity, and stability for the expected mission life at elevated temperatures. Brazing is 

frequently a good approach for joining dissimilar metal in net-shape or near-net-shape configurations. 

Following is a summary of ongoing research on using commercially available braze alloys to join the 

various dissimilar metals that might be part of the heat exchanger. This summary focuses on downselecting candidate alloys based on physical integrity and chemical interactions. Future results will further 

discuss long-term stability. Joint configurations were selected based on expected heater head designs. For 

example one possible design, as shown in Figure 14, would require a joint between components made of 

SS316L and IN718, and a secondary joint between IN718 and copper. A different design would require a 

good bond between SS316L steel and copper. 

Nickel- and gold-based braze alloys (Table 1) were selected to join the stainless steel and the 

Inconel 718 superalloy in response to the first heater head design requirement; a second group of brazes 

(Table 2) were selected to join the type SS316L stainless steel to oxygen free high conductivity (OFHC) 

copper simulating an internal acceptor. Microstructural and mechanical properties results indicated that 

gold-based brazes resulted in minimal reaction and property degradation with either base metal SS316L 

or IN718 (Locci, Bowman, and Gabb, 2009). The phase reactions were observed to be more extensive in 

all the Ni-based brazes that were studied. 

The initial brazing work was done using a small brazing furnace at GRC. This furnace was used to 

define the brazing parameters for the initial trials. Various exploratory runs were done simultaneously at 

the American Brazing Company (Willoughby, Ohio), using one of their larger brazing furnaces. This 

study considered braze alloys in paste, tape, and foil form. Figure 15 shows examples of ring segments 

prepared with paste and foil braze material. Material coefficients of expansion and braze reservoirs must 

also be considered in the design. For example, a foil can be pre-placed between the faying surfaces prior 

to the initiation of the heating cycle if a gap exist or can be machined. Extra foil (Fig. 15(b)), extending 

above the rings, might need to be added to fill completely the gap that will be created at the brazing 

temperature between the alloys. 

Figure 14.—Possible liquid metal heat exchanger assembly design. 

 

 

Heat acceptor, made of Cu 

with fine passages to heat 

He gas, bonded to IN718

Red boundary indicates the 

cross section of the IN718 

heater head bonded to SS316L

Blue boundary is 

SS316L heater head 

piping and jacket, with 

NaK flowing at 850 K
NASA/TM—2011-217001 9 

TABLE 1.—BRAZE ALLOYS EVALUATED TO JOIN SS316L AND IN718 

TABLE 2.—BRAZE ALLOYS EVALUATED TO JOIN SS316L AND CU

Figure 15.—(a) Nioro paste applied to chamfer sections of three concentric rings 

(SS316L, IN718, and Cu) and (b) Nioro braze foil inserted in the gap left between 

the two concentric rings (SS316L and IN718), extra foil extends beyond height of 

the metal rings. 

 

Brazes Composition (wt.%) Form Braze Temp

(K)

AMDRY 790 Ni-1.74B-3.22Si Paste 1403

AMDRY 108 Ni-23Cr-11.5Fe-4.2P-6.4Si Paste 1403

AMDRY 775 Ni-15.38Cr-3.8B Paste 1403

Nioro 82Au-18Ni Foil (0.0254) 1258 or 1273

Palniro-7 70Au-22Ni-8Pd Foil (0.0254) 1323

Alloy/Braze Composition (wt.%) Form (mm) Braze Temp

(K)

AMDRY 936 Ni-19Mn-4Cu-6Si-1B Paste 1270

AMDRY 930 Ni-23Mn-5Cu-6Si Tape 1311 or 1293 

AWS-BNi-2 Ni-7Cr-3Fe-3.2B-4.5Si-0.06C Foil (0.0508) 1311 

Nioro 82Au-18Ni Foil (0.0254) 1253

35%Au-65%Cu Au 34.70-Cu 65.30 Foil (0.0254) 1293 

40%Au-60%Cu 39.58Au-60.42Cu Foil (0.0254) 1283 

50%Au-50%Cu 49.67Au-50.33Cu Foil (0.0254) 1253 
NASA/TM—2011-217001 10 

Another braze fabrication comparison used Nioro foil and paste to join the IN718 ring (outside ring) to 

SS316L (inside ring) or SS316L (outside ring) to IN718 (inside ring) as unveiled in Figure 16(a) and (b). In 

some instances, as contrasted in Figure 16(c) and (d), small unfilled gaps can be observed on some cross 

sections at the top of the rings, where the paste braze filler was originally applied. This gap may be the result 

of volume lost as binders are burnt out of the braze paste. Re-brazing, to fill completely leftover gaps, is an 

option and a common practice in the brazing industry. Higher magnification images of a sound Nioro-based 

joint with minimum chemical reaction are presented in Figure 17. Low and high magnification field 

emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) backscattered images, unveiled the complete braze 

coverage and the resultant microstructure after brazing for 10 min at 1273 K (1832 F) in vacuum. An 

example of a poor braze bond is shown in Figure 18, where again Nioro was used to bond SS316L to OFHC 

copper, which resulted in limited wetting of the copper surface and discontinuous bonding. 

Figure 16.—Examples of foil (a) and paste filler (b) Materials used to 

braze dissimilar alloys; transverse cross sections contrasting 

completely filled brazed region (c) Versus a region revealing an unfilled 

gap (d) at the top of the ring where the braze was originally dispensed.

Figure 17.—FESEM backscattered Images of Nioro brazed SS316L to IN718 

(a) low magnification view showing complete brazing coverage, and 

(b) Higher magnification of the brazed microstructure. 

Figure 18.—Stainless steel brazed to copper 

using Nioro braze alloy showing poor bonding. 

IN718/SS316

Nioro Foil

Not enough braze material applied

SS316/IN718

Nioro Paste

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

90 m

SS 316

IN 718

SS 316

IN 718

(a) (b)

SS 316

Cu
NASA/TM—2011-217001 11 

Another example of reactions between the elements present in the braze alloy, in this case 

AMDRY 936, and two of the base metals, SS316L and Cu, is visible in the FESEM cross section image 

presented in Figure 19. On the stainless steel side (box A), grain boundaries are visible in the microstructure 

due to the precipitation of chrome borides. The tying of the Cr into borides can cause the localized depletion 

of Cr in the nearby regions of the alloy and change locally the corrosion resistance property of the stainless 

steel. Boron was present in the braze alloy, while Cr is available from the stainless steel. On the copper side 

and within 60 μm of the interface, multiple micron size Mn-Cu rich phases can be observed (box B). The 

Mn is present in the braze alloy, and since copper and manganese form a complete solid-state solution, 

diffusion of Mn during the brazing process must have occurred to form the fine particulates. The brazed 

section contains eutectic-like regions where one of the solid-state solution regions (dark gray) is enriched 

mainly in Ni, Si and Mn, while the other region (light gray) is mainly enriched in Cu and to lesser degree 

with Ni. The use of a different braze, AMDRY 930, that does not contain B, resulted in no Cr rich boride 

phase formation near the braze/stainless steel interface. However, Mn-enriched particles did form at the 

braze/copper interface as observed when using AMDRY 936. 

A group of gold-copper brazes were explored as an option to join the stainless steel component to the 

OFHC copper. The three braze alloys were selected to minimize possible reactions with the components 

to be joined and also because the different levels of Au dictated their melting points and therefore, their 

brazing temperatures. All the three brazes wetted and spread evenly on both alloys which resulted in a 

good bond. Further study on the stability of these brazes is recommended if these alloys may be 

considered to join type 316L stainless steel to copper. Table 3 summarizes the brazing results for the 

multiple systems studied. 

Figure 19.—Type 316L stainless steel brazed to copper using AMDRY 936 

braze alloy showing reactions at or near brazed interfaces. 
NASA/TM—2011-217001 12 

TABLE 3.—SUMMARY OF BRAZING RESULTS 

Conclusions 

The NaK heat exchangers fabricated for the integrated Stirling convertor with pumped NaK loop testing 

performed as expected for the 66 hr test program and met all the experimental objectives. However, 

inspection of the NaK heater head revealed several fabrication and design shortcomings that could be 

problematic in longer-term testing. Electron microscopy analyses revealed the presence of oxidized regions 

with detectable levels of Na near the incompletely filled butt-weld joints. No other material interactions in 

the heat exchanger assembly with the NaK liquid metal were observed after the 66-hr test at a maximum 

temperature of 823 K. Inert gas shielding was probably not applied inside the tubes during the GTAW 

joining operation which resulted in an internal oxidized heat affected zone. If GTAW is the joining process 

selected, a shielding cover gas should be applied inside the tubes during the joining operation to minimize 

any internal oxidation. Other joining techniques such as electron beam or laser welding done under argon, 

should be explored to minimize oxidation and/or to eliminate the partial filling of the welds. It is 

recommended that like-components are inspected after the fabrication or joining of the heat exchanger 

components. Inspection of the welds by a non-destructive technique is also encouraged. 

NASA GRC, collaboratively with industry, examined paste, tape, and foil brazing materials. 

Procedures and brazing methods were developed to join various samples and prototypical Stirling heat 

exchanger concentric ring configurations. The results of these examinations are summarized in Table 3. 

Based on the lowest impact on the base metal strength and the minimal chemical interaction, Nioro is the 

leading braze candidate to join the two dissimilar metals, stainless steel and Inconel 718. Careful 

metallurgical evaluation of brazed joints between 316L stainless and copper with B containing Ni-based 

alloys revealed varying degrees of chemical interactions. Some of these interactions, such as the 

formation of chromium boride precipitates, could affect the long term structural stability of the stainless 

steel. Based on these results, brazes that do not contain B and the copper-gold braze alloys should be 

explored further to join stainless steel to copper components.

References 

Fission Surface Power Team, "Fission Surface Power System Initial Concept Definition," NASA/TM—

2010-216772. 

Mason, L., "Recent Advances in Power Conversion and Heat Rejection technology for Fission Surface 

Power," in Proceedings of Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2009, Atlanta, GA, paper 

204298, 2009. 

Briggs, M.H., Geng, S.M. and Robbie, M.G., "Status of Kilowatt-Class Stirling Power Conversion Using 

a Pumped NaK Loop for Thermal Input," NASA, 2010. NASA/TM—2010-216265. 

Metal 1 Metal 2 Braze Alloy Wetting Phase Formation 

w/ Metal 1

Phase Formation 

w/Metal 2

Compatibility 

with Base Metals

Recommended

SS316L IN718 AMDRY 790 Good Cr-Boride at G. Bds Nb/Mo at G. Bds Reactions at Braze/Metal Interfaces No

SS316L IN718 AMDRY 108 Good minimal Nb or/and P at G. Bds Reactions at Braze/Metal Interface Probably No

SS316L IN718 AMDRY 775 Good Cr-Boride at G. Bds Nb/Mo at G. Bds Reactions at Braze/Metal Interfaces No

SS316L IN718 Nioro Good minimal minimal OK Yes

SS316L IN718 Palniro 7 Good minimal minimal OK Yes

SS316L Cu AMDRY 936 Good Cr-Boride at G. Bds Mn-Cu Reactions at Braze/Metal Interfaces Probably No

SS316L Cu AMDRY 930 Good minimal Mn-Cu OK Yes

SS316L Cu AWS-BNi-2 Good Cr-Boride at G. Bds Cr-Silicide Reactions at Braze/Metal Interfaces No

SS316L Cu Nioro Poor - - - No

SS316L Cu 35Au-65Cu Good minimal minimal Probably OK More Research

SS316L Cu 40Au-60Cu Good minimal minimal Probably OK More Research

SS316L Cu 50Au-50Cu Good minimal minimal Probably OK More Research
NASA/TM—2011-217001 13 

Hoffman, T.L., "Performance of types 304, 316, and 348 Stainless Steel in NaK at High temperatures,"

U.S. Atomic energy Commision Research and Developement, 1967. Contract AT (10-1) -1230. 

Zimmerman, C.A. "Corrosion of Type 316 Stainless Steel in NaK Service - A Literature Survey," Defense 

Technical Information Center, 1965. 

Hiltz, R.H., "The corrosion of Stainless Steel in Oxygen-Contaminated Sodium at 1200 F and 1400 F." 

Corrosion by Liquid Metal, edited by J.E. Draley J.R. Weeks, New York, Plenum Press, 1970. 

Barker, M.G. and Wood, D.J., "The Chemical Composition of Corrosion Products in Liquid Sodium," 

edited by S.V. Jansson, Chemical Aspects of Corrosion and Mass Transfer in Liquid Sodium, Detroit, 

The Metallurgical Society of AIME, 1971, pp. 365–379. 

Locci, I.E., Bowman, C.L. and Gabb, T.P., "Development of High Temperature Dissimilar Joint 

Technology for Fission Surface Power Systems," in Proceedings of the 4th International Brazing and 

Soldering Conference, edited by A., Gourley, R., Walker, C. Rabinkin. Orlando, Fl: ASM 

International, pp. 165–175, 2009. 

American Welding Society (AWS) C3 Committee on Brazing and Soldering . Brazing Handbook, 5th 

Edition. Miami, Fl: American Welding Society, 978-0-87171-046-8, 2007, p. 163. 
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PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 

1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)

01-04-2011 

2. REPORT TYPE

Technical Memorandum 

3. DATES COVERED (From - To)

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Material Studies Related to the Use of NaK Heat Exchangers Coupled to Stirling Heater 

Heads 

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

5b. GRANT NUMBER

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER

6. AUTHOR(S)

Locci, Ivan, E.; Bowman, Cheryl, L.; Geng, Steven, M.; Robbie, Malcolm, G. 

5d. PROJECT NUMBER

5e. TASK NUMBER

5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER

WBS 429698.04.04.03 

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191 

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

 REPORT NUMBER

E-17661 

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Washington, DC 20546-0001 

10. SPONSORING/MONITOR'S

 ACRONYM(S)

NASA 

11. SPONSORING/MONITORING

 REPORT NUMBER

NASA/TM-2011-217001 

12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Unclassified-Unlimited 

Subject Categories: 23, 26, 20, and 39 

Available electronically at http://www.sti.nasa.gov 

This publication is available from the NASA Center for AeroSpace Information, 443-757-5802

13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

14. ABSTRACT

NASA has been supporting design studies and technology development that could provide power to an outpost on the Moon, Mars, or an 

asteroid. Technology development efforts have included fabrication and evaluation of components used in a Stirling engine power

conversion system. Destructive material evaluation was performed on a NaK shell heat exchanger that was developed by the NASA Glenn 

Research Center (GRC) and integrated with a commercial 1 kWe Stirling convertor from Sunpower Incorporated. The NaK Stirling test 

demonstrated Stirling convertor electrical power generation using a pumped liquid metal heat source under thermal conditions that represent 

the heat exchanger liquid metal loop in a Fission Power Systems (FPS) reactor. The convertors were operated for a total test time of 66 hr at 

a maximum temperature of 823 K. After the test was completed and NaK removed, the heat exchanger assembly was sectioned to evaluate 

any material interactions with the flowing liquid metal. Several dissimilar-metal braze joint options, crucial for the heat exchanger transfer 

path, were also investigated. A comprehensive investigation was completed and lessons learned for future heat exchanger development 

efforts are discussed. 

15. SUBJECT TERMS

Heat exchangers; Stirling cycle; Liquid metals; Fission; Power reactors; Nickel alloys; Brazing; Fabrication; Metal-metal bonding 

16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF

 ABSTRACT

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19 

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STI Help Desk (email:help@sti.nasa.gov) 

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19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (include area code)

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