Development of the AMES network throughout the 4th and 5th EURATOM framework programmes

摘要

The AMES (Ageing Materials European Strategy) network started its activity in 1993 with the aim of studying ageing mechanisms and remedial procedures for structural materials used for nuclear reactor components. Acad. L.M. Davies led AMES during successful development from the beginning until the end of the 4th Framework Programme, and greatly contributed during the 5th Framework Programme with his precious advice and as EPLAF Chairman. Among others, during the 4th EURATOM Framework Program some projects co-financed by the European Commission were carried out on non-destructive monitoring techniques for thermal ageing, reference dosimetry, and reconstitution techniques applied to Charpy specimens. Within the 5th EURATOM Framework Program, other projects were approved for funding and are currently running. Their focus is on the mechanism of irradiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel materials, namely the influence of chemical composition, on the improvement of surveillance temperature measurement, on the validation of the master curve approach, and on non-destructive techniques to monitor ageing of irradiated steels, which all have relations to plant life management and extension. The paper will present an overview of the outcome of the projects having plant life management implications, especially non-destructive techniques applied to thermal ageing and neutron embrittlement monitoring (AMES-NDT and CRETE), improved surveillance for VVER 440 reactors (COBRA), dosimetry (AMES-DOSIMETRY, MADAM and REDOS), PISA and FRAME. The project co-ordinators have provided most of the material here presented, but together with them all the project members gave their contribution and are therefore acknowledged.