The challenge of materials development

The paper reports on a British Nuclear Energy Society conference entitled ''Materials for nuclear reactor core applications'', 1987. Sixty five papers were presented; most were concerned with developing steels for future fast breeder reactors, although the discussion also covered graphite materials used in gas cooled reactors and zirconium alloys for water cooled reactors. Topics examined included: neutron bombardment of materials, effect on the chemical and physical properties of materials under reactor conditions, sensitivity of PE16 steel to cold working, and void swelling of austenitic 316 stainless steel. Fast reactor materials were discussed with respect to void swelling of fuel cladding, and the search for materials able to sustain the high doses associated with high burn-up. (UK)