Abstract
The mechanical properties of a well-characterized irradiated light water reactor fuel pin with an average burnup of 72 MWd/kgU were investigated by utilizing nano-indentation technique. Young's modulus and hardness are reported as functions of radial positions covering from mid radial position in the urania pellet to high burnup structure, fuel-cladding chemical interaction zone and zirconium-based cladding. By probing microstructure of the high burnup zone, the mechanical properties of sub-grains and the interaction between them were examined at the nanometer scale. Force-displacement curves from each of these individual sub-grains suggest they resemble single crystal UO2. However, these restructured grains are weakly bonded to their neighbors.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
