The mechanical response evaluation of advanced claddings during proposed reactivity initiated accident conditions

M. Nedim Cinbiz, Nicholas Brown, Kurt A. Terrani, Rick R. Lowden, Donald Erdman

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    1 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    This study investigates the failure mechanisms of advanced oxidation resistant FeCrAl nuclear fuel cladding at high-strain rates, similar to conditions characteristic of design basis reactivity initiated accidentReactivity initiated accidents (RIAs). During a postulated RIA, the nuclear fuel cladding may be subjected to complex loading which can cause multiaxial strain states ranging from plane-strain to equibiaxial tension. To achieve those accident conditions, the samples were deformed by the expansion of high strength Inconel alloy tube under pre-specified pressure pulses, simulating strains rates occurring in a postulated RIA. The mechanical response of the advanced claddings, in the unirradiated state with ample ductility, was compared to that of hydrided zirconium-based nuclear fuel cladding. The hoop strain evolution pulses were collected in situ; the permanent diametral strains of both accident tolerant fuelAccident-tolerant fuel (ATF) claddings and the current nuclear fuel alloys were determined after rupture. Both zirconium-based alloys and FeCrAl alloysFeCrAl alloys exhibited ductile behavior. FeCrAl model alloys without microstructural control and strengthening mechanism were used in this demonstration study that showed reduced diametral strain (less than 0.15) compared to the diametral strain for the unirradiated zirconium-based alloy (approximately 0.2).

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Title of host publicationMinerals, Metals and Materials Series
    PublisherSpringer International Publishing
    Pages355-365
    Number of pages11
    Edition9783319523330
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2017

    Publication series

    NameMinerals, Metals and Materials Series
    Number9783319523330
    ISSN (Print)2367-1181
    ISSN (Electronic)2367-1696

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
    • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Metals and Alloys
    • Materials Chemistry

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