A preliminary irradiation test of the new ceramics materials for the innovative basic research on high-temperature engineering

The innovative basic research concerns the association of basic science and technology with high temperature irradiation environments. The direction of research involves novel and bold challenges both in nuclear and non-nuclear fields. The innovative basic research on high-temperature engineering is one of the key subjects using the HTTR as well as other research reactors. JAERI organized the HTTR Utilization Research Committee in 1993 to promote basic research. The HTTR Utilization Committee consists of three subcommittees in the field of new materials development, fusion technology research and high-temperature in-core instrumentation development. As the beginning of the programme, a maximum of 66 subjects were proposed in a wide variety of research fields. Through helpful and critical comments and discussion by the committee, eight subjects have finally been selected for a preliminary test using out-of-pile facilities and currently available irradiation facilities such as accelerators, research and testing reactors. The purpose of the preliminary test using JMTR is to examine and demonstrate the scientific and technical feasibility and effectiveness of these subjects with regard to the HTTR. The aim of this paper is to describe the preliminary irradiated test conditions such as irradiated fluence, irradiated temperature and installed specimen on the capsules, and also to show the specifications and performances of the apparatus for Post/Ante Irradiation Experiment. (author)