Nuclear materials

Module aims

The aim is to develop an appreciation of materials issues associated with nuclear reactor technology and how this information is used when designing reactor systems. A mechanistic description of materials selection for intense radiation fields and the associated degradation mechanisms will be covered for different classes of material with a focus on the specific advantages and disadvantages. The course consider specific cases where materials issues have been crucial to systems performance and a variety of degradation and failure mechanisms as well as the radiation damage processes that brought about these failures.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will be able to:

  • Compare mechanisms of radiation damage in nuclear systems.
  • Discuss the nuclear fuel cycle and fuel fabrication.
  • Predict failure in nuclear components.
  • Evaluate the use of stainless steels, nickel alloys and zirconium as nuclear materials.

Module content

  • Radiation types, radioactive decay and dose units.
  • Mechanisms of radiation damage of nuclear materials.
  • The Kinchin-Pease Model to predict damage accumulation.
  • Types of fuel and components for the Nuclear Fuel Assembly.
  • The fuel cycle and fuel fabrication.
  • Materials (stainless steels, Ni alloys) used in a pressurised water reactor (PWR) primary circuit.
  • Microstructure and mechanical properties of ferritic steels used for reactor pressure vessels.
  • The influence of stress on structural integrity assessments of nuclear plant.
  • FAD and Weibull analysis methods to predict failure in nuclear components.
  • Pellet-clad mechanical interactions (PCMI) in PWR and AGR systems.
  • Zirconium as a cladding in PWR environments.
  • Alloying of zirconium for cladding materials.
  • Deformation modes in zirconium systems.
  • Crystallographic texture and its importance in highly engineered systems.
  • Measuring and describing texture using pole figures & Kearn’s factors.
  • Ageing and corrosion of zirconium in power plant systems.
  • Engineering decisions for tube fabrication.

Module lead

Mark Wenman

ECTS/FHEQ

5/7

Module code

MATE70019

Host department

Department of Materials

Term

Autumn

Time slot

PM

Teaching weeks

TBC

August resit opportunity?

No

How to apply

Via DSS

Application deadline

17.00 on Wednesday 18 October 2023

Places available (approximate)

10

Number of applicants (historic)

5

Criteria used for student selection

First come, first assigned a place if oversubscribed

Further information

For any queries about this module, please contact the Materials Student Office at materialsstudentoffice@imperial.ac.uk. Please state your full name, department and CID when emailing the team.