CLADDING AND REFLECTORSDOE-HDBK-1017/2-93Plant MaterialsSummaryThe important information in this chapter is summarized below.Cladding and Reflectors SummaryMajor characteristics required for cladding material:Mechanical properties such as ductility, impact strength, tensile strength, creep,and ease of fabricationPhysical properties include high corrosion resistance and high meltingtemperatureHigh thermal conductivityNuclear properties such as small absorption cross sectionFour materials suitable for cladding:Aluminum is used for low power, water-cooled research, training, and materialstest reactors in which temperatures are below 100C.Magnesium is used for uranium metal fuel in carbon-dioxide cooled, graphite-moderated power reactors in United Kingdom.Zirconium is used for fuel-rod cladding in water-cooled power reactors.Beryllium is suitable for use as cladding but is not used as such due to its highcost and poor mechanical properties. It is, however, used as a reflector in sometest reactors.Reflectors are used to return neutrons leaving the reactor core back to the core.Essential requirements for reflectors include.Low macroscopic absorption cross section to minimize loss of neutronsHigh macroscopic scattering cross sectionHigh logarithmic energy decrement due to low mass numberTemperature stabilityRadiation stabilityMS-05Page 14Rev. 0
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
