In-reactor degradation of fuel and cladding in fuel pins operated with weld defects

A PHWR fuel pin having an incomplete fusion defect in the end plug weld operated in the reactor in the failed condition for a period of 710days and accumulated a burnup of 4400MWd/tU. Detailed non destructive and destructive PIE was carried out on the fuel pin to understand the nature and extent of...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nuclear materials 2013-08, Vol.439 (1-3), p.217-223
Main Authors: Mishra, Prerna, Jathar, V.P., Singh, J.L., Sah, D.N., Shah, Priti K., Anantharaman, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Autoradiography
Beta
Cladding
Controled nuclear fusion plants
Degradation
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
Failure
Fission nuclear power plants
Fuels
Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy
Nuclear fuels
Nuclear reactor components
Tensile tests
Ultrasonic testing
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A PHWR fuel pin having an incomplete fusion defect in the end plug weld operated in the reactor in the failed condition for a period of 710days and accumulated a burnup of 4400MWd/tU. Detailed non destructive and destructive PIE was carried out on the fuel pin to understand the nature and extent of degradation of fuel and cladding in this fuel pin. PIE included visual examination, ultrasonic testing, metallography of a large number of transverse sections of the fuel pin, beta gamma autoradiography, microhardness measurement of the cladding, ring tension test on the cladding. Examination showed secondary hydriding failures, significant rise in fuel temperature resulting in extensive fuel restructuring, severe oxidation of fuel and cladding by steam providing hydrogen for hydride (deuteride) blister formation. Increase in hardness and loss of ductility was also observed in the cladding.
ISSN:0022-3115
1873-4820
DOI:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2012.05.033