Materials for nuclear industry: some historical perspectives

Materials play a key role in the safe and economical operation of nuclear reactors. Materials used in reactors also have to meet stringent chemical specifications for efficient performance. Commercial scale realization of nuclear materials has been a challenge to the nuclear industry. The history of development of nuclear materials has fascinating and unique examples of theoretical prowess as well as innovative experimentation and success in nuclear material development is characterized by synergy between the domains of laboratory research and industry. This paper describes the development of some of the important nuclear materials (uranium, plutonium, zirconium, boron, sodium and graphite), providing a historical perspective.