Damage function analysis

The current status and procedures associated with damage function analysis as it applies to the development, design, and operation of nuclear reactors are reviewed. Damage function analysis provides a systematically applied engineering approach for estimating fluence limits and their uncertainties for neutron-induced property changes for reactor materials and components. A summary of derived, quasi-empirical damage functions is provided and emphasis is placed on the need for standardization in their definition and application. Included is a discussion of the calculation and use of displacement production as an energy-dependent measure of exposure and displacement cross sections for damage function analysis. A brief review is given of the current and projected status of the neutron flux-fluence spectra characterization that is essential for damage function analysis