Metallographical investigation of surface and interfacial processes in nuclear fuel materials

Modern methods of metallographic structural and surface analysis in nuclear metallurgy tested by the Nuclear Research Institute are discussed. Scanning electron microscopy gives a stereological picture of the surface, fractures and interfaces of corroded and deformed nuclear fuel. Transmission electron microscopy is used for the investigation of structural changes mainly in microheterogeneous alloys and composites. The examples of the application of electron microscopy in testing of the fuel element quality are given. (author)