A shim-safety reactor control rod, including actuator me¬chanism and neutron absorber element, was developed for the Haliam Nuclear Power Facility 240-Mwt, sodium-cooled, graphite-moderated reactor. Following design and fabrication of proto¬type components, subcomponent and full-scale developmental testing was performed under ambient and elevated temperature conditions. Selection of the neutron absorber element, a mixture of gadolinium and samarium oxides clad by Hastelloy X, was pre-ceded by an extensive developmental effort which included in-pile irradiation tests, materials compatibility tests, and development of fabrication techniques.
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