RADIATION EFFECTS IN CLADDING MATERIALS

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1960 · Nuclear Power

OSTI ID:4125488

Barnes, R S

Radiation effects are generally due to the behavior of radioinduced point defects and foreign atoms, and they are discussed with reference to fast neutron bombardment of cladding materials. Point defects cluster to form loops similar to those produced by quenching, and their annealing temperatures are the same. The mechanical properties are markedly altered by large numbers of loops ( approximately 10/sup 15//cm/sup 3/). especially internal friction which is reduced. Deformation is localized, and this can limit the use of cladding materials. However, if the cladding material is irradiated at a temperature above the annealing temperature. the loops do not form and these effects do not occur. This is the situation in which many cladding materials are used. Foreign atoms may be formed in cladding materials either by direct capture of neutrons or by impregnation with fission products. Xenon, krynton, and helium precipitate as bubbles at high temperatures, which grow by acquiring vacancies and may nucleate on dislocation lines. Since these bubbles lock the dislocations, they harden the material. Further heating coarsens the bubbles, thereby diminishing their hardening effect, but the bubbles increase in volume. This volume increase is accentuated by moving grain boundaries: therefore in material containing gas grain growth must be avoided. (D.L.C.)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-14-026018
• OSTI ID: 4125488
• Journal Information: Nuclear Power, Journal Name: Nuclear Power Journal Issue: 53 Vol. 5; ISSN 0546-8981; ISSN NUPOAS
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANNEALING
ATOMS
BUBBLES
CAPTURE
DEFECTS
DEFORMATION
FAST NEUTRONS
FISSION PRODUCTS
FRICTION
FUEL CANS
GASES
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
GRAIN SIZE
HEAT TREATMENTS
HEATING
HELIUM
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IMPREGNATION
IMPURITIES
KRYPTON
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRONS
QUANTITY RATIO
QUENCHING
RADIATION EFFECTS
TEMPERATURE
TEMPERING
VACANCIES
VOIDS
VOLUME
XENON