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Development of Advanced Nuclear Structural Materials for Sustainable Energy Development

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Journal of the Indian Institute of Science Aims and scope

Abstract

Structural materials used in nuclear reactors face many challenges due to elevated temperature operation, high neutron flux induced transmutations and radiation damage. In the present article, we review the core structural materials used in thermal as well as fast reactors. Due to emphasis on neutron economy and relatively low temperature operation, Zirconium-based alloys are used in thermal reactors and their evolution and materials challenges are discussed. In the case of fast reactors, due to intense fast neutron flux and high temperatures, austenitic stainless steels and its variants are used. Advanced structural materials with better radiation performance and for enhanced burn-up applications are also discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The research work reported in the article had been a collective work of many colleagues at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) and other collaborating institutions and the authors gratefully acknowledge them. The authors are thankful to Sri Balaji Rao for useful discussions. They also thank Dr. Sumita Santra for assistance in the preparation of the article. One of the authors (GA) acknowledges the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for the award of Raja Ramanna Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad, 500062, India

    Dinesh Srivastava, Komal Kapoor & G. Amarendra

  2. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India

    G. Amarendra

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  1. Dinesh Srivastava
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  2. Komal Kapoor
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  3. G. Amarendra
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Correspondence to Dinesh Srivastava.

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Srivastava, D., Kapoor, K. & Amarendra, G. Development of Advanced Nuclear Structural Materials for Sustainable Energy Development. J Indian Inst Sci 102, 391–404 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41745-022-00287-z

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