• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.402-409
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• 2024

High energy neutron irradiations impact on structural and electrical properties of alumina are studied with particular emphasis on real time in-situ radiation induced conductivity measurement in low flux region. Polycrystalline Al₂O₃ samples are subjected to high energy neutrons produced from D-T neutron generator and Am-Be neutron source. 14 MeV neutrons from D-T generator are chosen to study the role of fast neutron irradiation in the structural modification of samples. Real time in-situ electrical measurement is performed to investigate the change in insulation resistance of Al₂O₃ due to radiation induced conductivity at low flux regime. During neutron irradiation, a significant transient decrease in insulation resistance is observed which recovers relative higher value just after neutron exposure is switched off. XRD results of 14 MeV neutron irradiated samples suggest annealing effect. Impact of relatively low energy neutrons on the structural properties is also studied using Am-Be neutrons. In this case, clustering is observed on the sample surface after prolonged neutron exposure. The structural characterizations of pristine and irradiated Al₂O₃ samples are performed using XRD, SEM, and EDX. The results from these characterizations are analysed and interpreted in the manuscript.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.311-322
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• 2013

High-Cr martensitic steel HT-9 is one of the candidate materials for advanced nuclear energy systems. Thanks to its excellent thermal conductivity and irradiation resistance, ferritic/martensitic steels such as HT-9 are considered for in-core applications of advanced nuclear reactors. The harsh neutron irradiation environments at the reactor core region pose a unique challenge for structural and cladding materials. Microstructural and microchemical changes resulting from displacement damage are anticipated for structural materials after prolonged neutron exposure. Consequently, various irradiation effects on the service performance of in-core materials need to be understood. In this work, the fundamentals of radiation damage and irradiation effects of the HT-9 martensitic steel are reviewed. The objective of this paper is to provide a background introduction of displacement damage, microstructural evolution, and subsequent effects on mechanical properties of the HT-9 martensitic steel under neutron irradiations. Mechanical test results of the irradiated HT-9 steel obtained from previous fast reactor and fusion programs are summarized along with the information of irradiated microstructure. This review can serve as a starting point for additional investigations on the in-core applications of ferritic/martensitic steels in advanced nuclear reactors.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4084-4094
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• 2022

The Advanced Fuels Campaign Fission Accelerated Steady-state Test (FAST) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) completed its first irradiation cycle within the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). The test focused on the irradiation of alloy fuel forms for use in sodium fast reactors. The first cycle of FAST testing was completed and four rodlets were removed for the initial post irradiation examination (PIE). The rodlet design and irradiation conditions were evaluated using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) for as-run power history and COMSOL for temperature analysis. These rodlets include a set of low burnups (~2.5 % fissions per initial metal atoms [%FIMA]), control rodlets, and a helium-bonded annular rodlet (4.7 %FIMA). Nondestructive PIE has been completed and includes visual inspection, neutron radiography and gamma scanning of the FAST capsules and rodlets. Radiography confirmed the integrity of the experiments, revealed that the annulus in the annular fuel was filled at a modest burnup (4.7 %FIMA), and indicated potential slumping of the cooler rodlets at lower burnup. Precision gamma scanning indicated mostly usual fission product behavior, except for cesium in the He-bonded annular fuel. Future destructive PIE will be necessary to fully interpret the effects of accelerated irradiation on U-Zr metallic fuel behavior.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.244-254
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• 2022

For tensile tests, Vickers hardness tests and microstructure tests, plate-type and box-type specimens of austenitic 316L stainless steels were produced by a conventional machining (CM) process as well as two additive manufacturing processes such as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and direct metal tooling (DMT). The specimens were irradiated up to a fast neutron fluence of 3.3 × 10⁹ n/cm² at a neutron irradiation facility. Mechanical performance of the unirradiated and irradiated specimens were investigated at room temperature and 300 ℃, respectively. The tensile strengths of the DMLS, DMT and CM 316L specimens are in descending order but the elongations are in reverse order, regardless of irradiation and temperature. The ratio of Vickers hardness to ultimate tensile strength was derived to be between 3.21 and 4.01. The additive manufacturing processes exhibit suitable mechanical performance, comparing the tensile strengths and elongations of the conventional machining process.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.585-590
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• 2006

This paper describes the results of an irradiation test and the specifications of the pneumatic transfer system (PTS) in the NAA #3 irradiation hole at the HANARO research reactor, which was reinstalled after some modifications of the operation mode at the end of 2004. The outer and inner diameters of the PE transfer tube are 34.1 and 27.5 mm, respectively. PE rabbit was used for sample irradiation. The $N_2$ gas pressure of the PTS lines was adjusted to 0.75 bar. The average sending time to the reactor was $8.5{\pm}0.3$ s and the average receiving time back to the receiver was $3.2{\pm}0.2$ s. The internal and external temperature of the irradiation tube was measured in a range of 50 to $80^{\circ}C$ for a 40 s to 80 s irradiation time, respectively. The optimum irradiation time was estimated to be less than 80 s. The thermal, epithermal and fast neutron flux at 30 MW thermal power were $1.42{\pm}0.01{\times}10^{14},\;1.51{\pm}0.04{\times}10^{13}$ and $9.48{\pm}0.69{\times}10^{11} n{\cdot}cm^{-2}{\codt}s^{1-}$, respectively. The cadmium ratio was approximately 9.40. The data obtained will be applied to supplement user information and for reactor management.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2005

The $Fe_{87}Zr_{7}B_{6}$ amorphous alloy after neutron irradiation are studied hysteresis loop and complex permeability measurements. The total integration fluence of fast neutrons is varied from $1.92{\times}10^{14}$ to $4.85{\times}10^{16}n_{f1}cm^{-2}$. After neutron irradiation, the imaginary part of complex permeability in low frequency region decreased due to the decrease of wall motion, but the permeability in high frequency region increased due to the enhancement of rotational magnetization. The measurement of hysteresis loop showed the increase of magnetic softness, related to rotational magnetization, but saturation magnetization was decreased in neutron irradiation sample.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.114-122
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• 2024

Irradiation-induced defects and the precipitates in the wrapper material of the Indian Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), SS 316 are analyzed using the synchrotron source-based Angle Dispersive X-Ray Diffraction (ADXRD) technique with X-rays of energy 17.185 keV (wavelength ~0.72146 Å). The differences and similarities in the high displacement damage samples as a function of dpa (displacement per atom) and dpa rate in the range of 2.9 × 10^-7- 9 × 10^-7 dpa/s are studied. Ferrite and M₂₃C₆ are commonly observed in the present set of high displacement damage 40-74 dpa SS 316 samples irradiated at temperatures in the range of 400-483 ℃. Also, the dislocation density has increased as a function of the irradiation dose. The X-ray diffraction peak profile parameters quantified such as peak shift and asymmetry show that the irradiation-induced defects are sensitive to the dpa rate-irradiation temperature combinations. The increase in yield strength as a function of displacement damage is also correlated to the dislocation density.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.188-198
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• 2021

A modern approach to nuclear energy involves reprocessing like transmutations of spent nuclear fuel products to reduce their radiotoxicity and time needed for their storage. For this purpose, they are immobilized in inert matrices made of zirconia and can be "burned" in fast neutron reactor or Accelerator Driven System. These matrices in spherical form can be obtained by sol-gel process. The paper presents a method of microspheres fabrication based on the combined Complex Sol-Gel Process and double extraction process consisting in the preparation of zirconium-ascorbate sol and simultaneous extraction of water and nitrates. The procedure allows obtaining gel microspheres with a diameter of 50 ㎛, which after heat treatment are processed into the final product. The synthesis of zirconia microspheres with Yttrium by internal gelation process is well known for over a decade now. However, the explanation and characterization of synthesis of such material by extraction of water process is rarely found. Parameters such as: pH, viscosity, shape, sphericity and crystal structure have been determined for synthesized products and semi-products. In addition, preliminary research consisting in irradiation of the obtained materials in fast and thermal neutron flux was carried out. The obtained results are presented and described in this work.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.49-52
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• 2000

The changes of magnetic properties in neutron irradiated F $e_{81}$ $B_{13.5}$S $i_{3.5}$ $C_2$ amorphous ribbon were studied by X-ray diffraction, hysteresis loop, temperature dependence of magnetization and complex permeability. The fluences of thermal ( $n_{th}$) and fast ( $n_{f}$) neutron were 6.95$\times$10$^{18}$ $n_{th}$ c $m^{-2}$ and 4.56$\times$10$^{16}$ $n_{f}$c $m^{-2}$ , respectively. The changes of XRD Profiles were not observable at the neutron irradiated sample. The complex permeability spectra showed that the permeability from domain wall motion decreased due to the increase of pinning force against domain motion by the neutron irradiation, and the relaxation frequency of rotational magnetization moved to higher frequency region. The measurement of hysteresis loop showed the increase of magnetic softness, related to rotational magnetization, but saturation magnetization was decreased in neutron irradiation sample. The Curie temperature was decreased in the neutron irradiated sample.e.e.e.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.323-331
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• 2015

Zirconium alloys are widely used in nuclear reactors as structural materials. During the operation, they are exposed to fast neutrons. Ion irradiation is used to simulate the damage introduced by neutron irradiation. In this article, we briefly review the neutron irradiation damage of zirconium alloys, then summarize the effect of ion irradiation on microstructural evolution, mechanical and corrosion properties, and their relationships. The microstructure components consist of dislocation loops, second phase precipitates, and gas bubbles. The microstructure parameters are also included such as domain size and microstrain determined by X-ray diffraction and the S-parameter determined by positron annihilation. Understanding the relationships of microstructure and properties is necessary for developing new advanced materials with higher irradiation tolerance.