Effect of Nuclear Radiation on Engineering Materials

Abstract

The importance of radiation damage in materials for use in nuclear power reactors is emphasized and an account is given of various types of radiation damage in such materials. The displacement of atoms by nuclear radiation is briefly discussed and examples are shown of recent electron microscopical photographs of radiation damage in materials. A discussion is given of radiation damage in graphite and the importance of stored energy as a reactor problem. The effect of displaced atoms in producing radiation hardening in metals and radiation embrittlement in structural steels is emphasized and discussed in relation to reactor pressure-vessels. Problems of growth, wrinkling, creep, and inert fission gases in uranium are considered in relation to the life of reactor fuel elements.