SEDL / STP / STP515-EB / STP34685S

Fundamentals of Radiation Effects Testing

Sinclair, EE
U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C.,

Simmons, JM
U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C.,

Zwilsky, KM
U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C.,

Pages: 31    Published: Jan 1972

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Abstract

The basic effects of irradiation, such as transmutation re-actions, hardening, void formation and high temperature embrittlement are reviewed. Testing for these effects takes the form of pre-post testing as well as in-reactor observations. Pre-post testing consists of measuring a property out-of-reactor, and measuring the same property after the material has been exposed to the neutron environment. Although changes in properties of a material can be determined before and after irradiation, the influence of a neutron flux on rate processes such as creep must be determined in-pile.

Characterization of the reactor environment including neutron dosimetry and temperature measurements are discussed, and examples of predictive testing of materials for reactor fuels, cladding, components and pressure vessels are reviewed.