Abstract

Abstract  Fourth-generation nuclear reactors — and in particular Lead-cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs) — bring major technological challenges that must be addressed before deployment. Among them, materials performance is one of the most critical.   Structural materials must be qualified for operation in liquid lead, a highly aggressive environment involving complex degradation mechanisms such as corrosion, dissolution, liquid metal embrittlement, and erosion. At the same time, new alloys specifically designed for severe conditions — high temperature, irradiation, and chemical interaction with lead — need to be developed and validated.  These technical challenges are compounded by the necessity to meet licensing requirements, often within ambitious timelines. Accelerating material qualification while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance is therefore a central issue.  Bio  After a PhD on the development of a new metallic glass, Oriane Baulin worked at CETIM for 6 years, in Saint-Etienne, as metallurgist. She was R&D project manager, in charge of failure analyses and expertise, for mechanical industry: automotive, aeronautics, nuclear industry. She was also responsible of metallurgical simulation and of development of innovative materials in additive manufacturing before becoming Head of the metallurgy team.  She has joined newcleo in August 2024, as metallurgist, working on innovative materials and advanced processes.  She’s Head of the Materials Engineering in France since January 2025. 

Presenting by the CUED Nuclear Energy Masters programme.