Study Programmes 2015-2016
META0030-2  
Nuclear materials
Duration :
28,5h Th, 3h Pr
Number of credits :
Specialised master in nuclear engineering3
Lecturer :
Jacqueline Lecomte-Beckers
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
  • Brief review of most important mechanical properties of materials
    - stress-strain relationship
    - ductile and brittle fracture; ductile-brittle transition
    - fatigue failure
    - creep
  • Stress analysis: stress intensity, thermal stresses
  • Functional requirements of materials in a nuclear environment
    - "nuclear" materials: fuel, fuel cladding, moderator/reflector, coolant
    - structural materials: reactor internals and vessel, piping, valves
  • Degradation mechanisms of materials in a nuclear environment
    - radiation effects: general principles, atomic displacements, embrittlement, swelling fatigue: due to thermal stresses and stratification
    - corrosion: p.m. (to be developed in course "Nuclear Materials II"
  • Detailed treatment of important materials in a nuclear environment (especially nuclear-
    mechanical interactions and relationships)
    - fuel and cladding
    - moderator/reflector
    - structural materials (incl reactor internals, reactor vessel).
Learning outcomes of the course :
  • 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).
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Basic chemistry, material behaviour.
REFERENCE BOOKS ON PREREQUISITE
See website www.sckcen.be/bnen,
Brochures and Info, Background books W. D'haeseleer
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Visits to SCK laboratories.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
  • 1 t.m.
  • Visits to SCK*CEN laboratories
Recommended or required readings :
  • Benjamin, M., Nuclear Reactor Materials and Applications, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1983.
  • Glasstone, S. & A. Sesonske, Nuclear Reactor Engineering, 4-th Ed, Vol 1, Chapman & Hall, New York, 1994 (Chapter 7: Reactor Materials, pp 406-462).
Assessment methods and criteria :
Oral examination; written preparation.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Lectures are given in english at SCK-CEN ( Mol) in a modular way ( 1 week in October)
Contacts :
Eric van Walle: eric.van.walle@sckcen.be