Advanced techniques for the mechanical characterization of irradiated nuclear fuel

The characterization of mechanical properties constitutes a key challenge for the study of nuclear fuel behaviour under conditions relevant for safe in-pile operation. This applies to both conventional and advanced fuel concepts. At JRC-ITU new tools are being developed to extend the knowledge on the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the fuel during irradiation. In particular, a scanning acoustic microscope was recently tested in hot cell for the measurements of elastic constants of irradiated fuel (in the frame of collaboration with EdF). The technique has been adapted to the conditions characterizing the hot cell environment and the configuration of typical irradiated fuel samples. The results obtained so far are very promising and indicate that this could become a very useful tool not only for the measurement of elastic properties, but also as complementary method to assess bulk properties and initial conditions of fuel samples destined for various types of analysis.

DE WEERD Wim;  RONDINELLA Vincenzo;  KELLERBAUER Alban;  WALKER Clive;  PAPAIOANNOU Dimitrios; 

2012-05-16

SCK-CEN

JRC67157

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC67157,