Nuclear Materials (Centre d'étude nucléaire-Mol)

Language

English

Prerequisites

The following BNEN courses are a prerequisite

• Nuclear Energy: Introduction
• Introduction to Nuclear Physics and Measurements

Basic chemestry material behaviour

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	To familarise students with the basic aspects of material science as they apply to nuclear systems To learn the basic processes of material degradation and ageing due to the nuclear environment (esp. radiation effects and fatigue).

Content

• Brief review of most important mechanical properties of materials

o stress-strain relationship
o ductile and brittle fracture; ductile-brittle transition
o fatigue failure
o creep

• Stress analysis: stress intensity, thermal stresses
• Functional requirements of materials in a nuclear environment

o 'nuclear' materials: fuel, fuel cladding, moderator/reflector, coolant
o structural materials: reactor internals and vessel, piping, valves

• Degradation mechanisms of materials in a nuclear environment

o radiation effects: general principles, atomic displacements, embrittlement, swelling fatigue: due to thermal stresses and stratification
o corrosion: p.m. (to be developed in course 'Nuclear Materials II')

• Introduction on treatment of important materials in a nuclear environment (especially nuclear-mechanical interactions and relationships)

o fuel and cladding
o moderator/reflector
                         0 structural materials (incl reactor internals, reactor vessel).

Evaluation methods

Oral examination; written preparation.

Other information

This course is part of the Advanced Master programme in nuclear engineering organized by the Belgian Nuclear Higher Education Network (BNEN).  BNEN is organised through a consortium of six Belgian universities and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK-CEN and takes place at the SCK-CEN in Mol.
Prof. Jacqueline Lecomte-Beckers ' Université de Liège
Prof. Eric van Walle ' Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Prof. Walter Bogaerts - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Online resources

https://www.sckcen.be/fbnen

Faculty or entity

EPL