Irradiation devices for the study of creep and swelling in ceramic fuels

In fuel element design for advanced nuclear reactors perfect knowledge of fuel behaviour under irradiation plays a decisive role, above all for long service lives and high burnups. Therefore, the development of fast breeder fuel elements within the framework of the Karlsruhe Fast Breeder Project included various irradiation rigs which allow continuous measurement during irradiation of fuel specimen creep and swelling. A survey is presented of some of these irradiation rigs. (Auth.)