Several options have been identified to further improve recently-developed Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High Temperature Irradiation Resistant Thermocouples (HTIR- TCs) for in-pile testing. These options have the potential to reduce fabrication costs and allow HTIR- TC use in higher temperature applications (up to at least 1800 °C). The INL and the University of Idaho (UI) investigated these options with the ultimate objective of providing recommendations for alternate thermocouple designs that are optimized for various applications. This paper summarizes results from these 1NL/UI investigations. Specifically, results are reported regarding options to enhance HTIR- TC performance (such as the use of specially formulated alloys, improved heat treatments, and the adoption of alternate geometries) and options to reduce HTIR- TC costs (such as automated fabrication techniques and the use of copperickel alloys as extension cable).
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