Journal Published Online: 16 May 2022
Volume 11, Issue 3

Small Punch Test Setup for In-Cell Testing of Irradiated Materials

CODEN: MPCACD

Abstract

A number of surveillance programs for pressurized water reactor (PWR)-type reactors do not contain enough surveillance samples for their long-term operation (LTO) beyond the original design life of 40 years. The use of testing methods based on small/sub-sized specimen is considered a promising approach to overcome this limitation. In addition, small specimen testing will lead to a reduction in the costs of testing radioactive materials, particularly when it comes to the radiation protection measures and radioactive waste management. One miniature testing method that has been recently standardized is the small punch test (SPT) technique, which can be used for estimating mechanical properties such as yield strength (σYS) and tensile strength of structural components. In literature, various validation studies can be found on the estimation of mechanical properties using SPT on nonirradiated materials. However, SPT data regarding (highly) irradiated materials are scarce. Material characterization in hot cells introduces several challenges, such as remote handling of instrumentation and samples, manipulator sensitivity, and limited accessibility of the setup. Within the framework of the STRUctural MATerials research for safe Long Term Operation of LWR NPPs (STRUMAT) project, the Nuclear Research and Consulting Group has developed tools and in-cell methods for producing and testing irradiated SPT disks. This paper presents a newly developed SPT fabrication and test setup that works under hot-cell conditions. Preliminary test results for estimation of tensile properties of 15Kh2NMFA reference material under hot-cell machining and testing condition are presented in this paper.

Author Information

Welschen, Romy
Department of Fuels and Materials Irradiations, Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Petten, the Netherlands
Naziris, Frideriki
Department of Fuels and Materials Irradiations, Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Petten, the Netherlands
ten Pierick, Peter
Department of Fuels and Materials Irradiations, Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Petten, the Netherlands
Kolluri, Murthy
Department of Fuels and Materials Irradiations, Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Petten, the Netherlands
Pages: 9
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Stock #: MPC20210113
ISSN: 2379-1365
DOI: 10.1520/MPC20210113