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Nuclear energy and energy storage: core materials resistant to extreme environments

Tantalum has become a key support for nuclear energy equipment and efficient energy storage systems due to its radiation resistance, high temperature stability and resistance to liquid metal corrosion:

• Nuclear reactor components: Tantalum alloys (such as Ta-10W) are used to manufacture heat exchangers, coolant pipes and control rod components of molten salt reactors, and can withstand 600-700℃ fluoride salt corrosion to ensure long-term operation stability. Tantalum disilicide (TaSi₂) as a shielding coating can effectively absorb neutrons and gamma rays to protect operators and equipment safety. China has included tantalum material processing in the "bottleneck" technology research catalog, pushing the localization rate to more than 80%.

• Energy storage and thermal management: During the sintering process of lithium battery positive electrode materials, the kiln lining made of tantalum steel composite plates can withstand high humidity (>90%) and strong acid and alkali (pH 0-14) environments, extending the equipment life by 3-5 times. In liquid-cooled energy storage systems, tantalum heat exchangers quickly remove heat generated by batteries with high thermal conductivity (about 57 W/(m・K)), and their corrosion resistance ensures that ethylene glycol aqueous solution does not leak during long-term circulation. They have passed international certifications such as DNV and LR and are used in energy storage power stations and data centers.

Technology trends: With the commercialization of fourth-generation nuclear power plants (such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and molten salt reactors), the demand for tantalum-based materials continues to grow. 3D printing technology (such as powder extrusion PEP process) can manufacture tantalum heat exchange tubes with complex flow channels, with a wall thickness deviation of ±0.03mm, and a 40% increase in heat exchange efficiency while reducing processing costs.