2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
JUMNNG002 Materials Science in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle
15 creditsClass Size: 10
Module manager: Professor BC Hanson
Email: B.C.Hanson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
The unit aims to provide an understanding of:* The relationship between the atomic and microscopic structure and the physical properties of the important materials in the nuclear industry
* How materials are made, and how the manufacturing process can affect the final performance of the material
* How materials can degrade and age in service under different conditions
* What techniques are available to monitor materials and structures to ensure safety in operations
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
* Understand the physical and chemical properties of the most important materials in the nuclear industry - Steel and stainless steel, selected non-ferrous alloys, graphite, cementitious materials and glasses. Students should be able to explain why metals are tough, why ceramics are hard, why graphite has a high melting point, why cement has a high internal pH, what is the nature of the atomic bonding in metals and ceramics
* Understand concepts related to manufacturing and processing of materials such as the evolution of the microstructure of metallic and cementitious materials, and nucleation and growth of phases and particles.
* Understand how materials may be formed and processed.
* Understand the mechanisms of materials degradation for materials , including corrosion, aging and failure of the materials listed.
* Understand the extra constraints placed on the choices of materials to be used where different types of radiation may be present.
Intellectual skills
* Students should be able to relate material properties to the applications for which they are suitable, e.g. what the properties of stainless steel are that make it a suitable material for ILW containers, and what are the properties of cements that make them suitable as an encapsulant.
* Students should be able to understand how a phase diagram may be interpreted to predict the phases present in a material to the atomic composition, and how suitable thermal and mechanical processing can give different final forms and properties to a material e.g different microstructures of steel.
* Predict the possible mechanisms of failure for a range of materials in common environments or under irradiation, and how to prevent such failures occurring by a combination of design and monitoring regimes.
Practical skills
* Perform a microscopic examination of a steel sample to identify cracking patterns.
* Perform an electrochemical experiment to determine the corrosion resistance of a stainless steel sample.
* Calculate the mechanical loads that will lead to failure for a simple structure made of different materials.
* Design an inspection routine for a structure to detect likely defects before failure.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
* Ability to relate macroscopic effects to microscopic or atomic scale processes.
* Broadening understanding of elements of design of plant and processes in nuclear industry from examples used.
* Better appreciation of safety management in industry from discussions of possible failure scenarios and monitoring systems.
Syllabus
Materials Structure
* The properties and structure of Steel and stainless steel, selected non-ferrous alloys, graphite, cementitious materials and glasses
* Types of atomic bonding, microstructure, defects and impurities
Materials Manufacture and Processing
* The methods by which materials are made, effects of impurities and processing.
* Basic science of phase diagrams, microstructure, nucleation and growth of phases and particles.
* Effects of mechanical deformation on metals and glasses
Materials Degradation Mechanisms
* Atmospheric, local corrosion, mechanical failure and stress corrosion cracking of metals, aging and leaching of cements and ceramics.
* Effects of irradiation on metals, ceramics and glasses.
Monitoring of Structures
* Non-Destructive Examination Techniques to monitor process plant.
* Electrochemical corrosion monitoring for metals. Leaching measurements for glasses and solid wastes
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | SCC Lab and Polarisation Lab Report | 20.00 |
| Case Study | Case Study of Turbine Disk Failure | 20.00 |
| Viva | Viva voce Examination | 60.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 15/05/2017
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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