Irradiation test of special low cost transducers

Safeguards requirements are such that some applications of the ultrasonic signature principle ask for very simple and low cost transducers to be used as sensors integrated in seals, for easy continuous and/or remote control of fissile materials storage. Such nonexpensive sensors must be of good quality and have often to withstand radiation fields which are typical of fissile masterials wet storage (for irradiated fuel bundles). Irradiation tests have been performed to ensure the good stability of transducer characteristics when taking into account the actual conditions of use. These irradiations were carried out at the TRITON reactor, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (C.E.A.), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, in close collaboration with the Commission of the European Communities, Non Destructive Testing Laboratories of the Joint Research Centre at Ispra, Italy