GRETE: Evaluation of non destructive testing techniques for monitoring of material degradation

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0123

Key words (English)

Non destructive testing; ageing; monitoring of material degradation; neutron irradiation; thermal fatigue damage; magnetic sensors; GMR; SQUID; neutron diffraction; ultrasonic; thermoelectricity;
Nuclear Fission; Radiation Protection; Safety; JRC

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: FIS5-1999-00280

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 5.5.2 Nuclear fission

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Paul Scherrer Institut PSI
Labor für Sicherheit und Unfallforschung

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Electricité de France EDF, Moret-sur-Loing (F)

Abstract (English)

TThe lifetime extension of aging power plants for electricity production is an economical way to reduce the cost of the kilowatt-hour for the benefit of the customers. Extending the lifetime of existing installations requires the development of innovative techniques for the inspection of critical components. Such techniques will detect changes in the materials and allow to plan the actions for failure prevention: change of operation parameters, increased inspections or replacement of components. The aim of this project is to assess the capability and the reliability of these techniques by means of an evaluation concerning irradiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and thermal fatigue of pipings. Series of aged samples will be characterised metallurgically and mechanically before being tested by the partners using various non-destructive techniques.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0123