Temperature Dependence of Elastic Modulus of Nuclear Graphite

Graphite is used in very high temperature gas-cooled reactors (VHTR) not only as a moderator and reflector but also as a major structural component due to its excellent neutronic, thermal, and mechanical properties. During normal operation and accidents, these graphite components are subjected to various mechanical and thermal stresses. The elastic modulus value is required for the design and stress analysis of the core, and the temperature dependence of elastic modulus must be examined. In this study, the high temperature elastic modulus of selected nuclear graphites was measured in an argon environment and compared to one another based on the difference in the pore structure