Metallographic Examination of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel Elements at Radiometallurgy Hot Cell Facility

摘要

Radiometallurgy Hot Cells at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay, are fully equipped to carry out detailed metallographic examination of irradiated fuel elements. Procedures have been standardi.sed for the various steps needed in the preparation of samples suitable for metallographic observation. Existing facilities afford estimation of various parameters, like grain size and other structural changes in fuel and cladding materials, corrosion aspects and the various types of hydride formation in zircaloy clad, pellet clad interaction between fuel and clad which will help in assessing the actual behaviour of fuel elements during operation. (Atomindex citation 10:494716)