1. Scope
This guide describes the application of Silicon Carbide (SiC) temperature monitors and their use for reactor vessel surveillance of light-water power reactors as called for in Practices E 185 and E 2215. The purpose of this guide is to recommend the selection and use of the SiC as a passive temperature monitor where the average irradiation temperature is determined by a change in electrical resistance with temperature during post irradiation examination. Guidelines are provided for the selection of monitor materials; design, fabrication, and assembly of monitor and container; post-irradiation examinations; interpretation of the results; and estimation of uncertainties.
ORNL uses SiC for their irradiation experiments to monitor the irradiation temperature. It has advantages over the melt wire technique that is currently used in reactor vessel (RV) surveillance capsules. It will tell you the approximate average irradiation temperature rather than if the peak capsule temperature exceeded the melting temperature of the wire. The average irradiation temperature is of much greater importance to understanding the irradiation embrittlement of the RV steels in the capsule than the peak capsule temperature.
Keywords
reactor, irradation, temperature, silicon carbide
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Citing ASTM Standards
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