WP8

Introduction

WP8 is dedicated to the post-irradiation examination (PIE) of ATF clads/joints that had passed successfully the critical screening tests prior to the BR2 neutron irradiation. Since the most promising ATF cladding candidates are simultaneously irradiated (WP7), the PIE will also show the advantages and shortcomings of each ATF cladding material concept, possibly identifying the concept(s) with the greatest potential in effectively meeting the ATF application requirements, thus paving the path towards faster industrialisation. The PIE data from the early-sampled materials (1-5 dpa) will contribute to material optimisation (WP1-WP3) and improve the models predicting in-service performance (WP9).

Moreover, the analysis of the neutron data and their comparison with ion/proton data will refine the ion/proton irradiation approach developed in WP6 to assess the irradiation tolerance of innovative nuclear materials. The main PIE objectives are to assess the stability of critical interfaces (fibre/matrix interface in SiC/SiC, coating/substrate interface, etc.), to identify neutron-induced materials degradation effects (RIS, coating decomposition, void segregation, differential swelling, etc.); and to follow the in-service evolution of damage (material loss rates, crack nucleation and propagation, coating grain coarsening, degradation of interfacial properties, etc.).

Deliverables

• D8.1: Mid-term review report on existing irradiation data
• D8.2: Final report on PIE of n-irradiated ATF clads & joints