The IAEA is calling on interested research institutes to join a new coordinated research project (CRP) on harmonization of small specimen test techniques for fusion applications.
Technologies required to establish fusion as a reliable source of energy are progressing fast, especially in the last decade. From a global perspective, efforts to define suitable design and construction rules appear very much fragmented and not conducive for an internationalization of the fusion industry. Hence, there is scope to add value by facilitating actions towards the unification of language and the tools used in different parts of the fusion community. The lack of standard procedures or at least an agreement on best practices, in particular in the area of small specimen test techniques (SSTT), prevents the full exploitation of the existing databases.
SSTT are currently based on the knowledge accumulated in laboratories and institutions which have developed their own best practices. These techniques and practices differ in size and shape of specimen used, measurement techniques, evaluation methodologies and acceptance criteria for valid data. As a consequence, homogeneous set of data can be created by a single user, but when data are compared among different users, large divergences may appear due to the lack of guidelines or standards. Since standards that need to be approved by international authorities are missing, huge data sets gathered in expensive material characterization programmes might not be validated by design framework authorities and consequently may not be applicable for engineering design.
It is also important to keep in mind that fusion dedicated neutron sources facilities for material testing will provide very limited irradiation volume. Data obtained after testing the irradiated samples will be used worldwide and will allow well established small size test techniques to extract full information and to exploit these facilities in the best possible way by different parties.
CRP Overall Objective:
The CRP, entitled Towards the Standardization of Small Specimen Test Techniques for Fusion Applications - Phase II, seeks to provide a set of guidelines for SSTT based on common agreed best practices on main test techniques (tensile, creep, low cycle fatigue, fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth rate) for reference structural fusion materials to provide the basis for a full standardization of the SSTT. This effort already started in the earlier CRP, Towards the Standardization of Small Specimen Test Techniques for Fusion Applications (F13017), which was concluded in 2021.
Specific Research Objectives:
- Continuation of the supporting experimental programme (“Intercomparison exercise from different laboratories”) for the respective test methods. The focus is on the applicability of guidelines and methodologies drafted so far under high temperature (HT) conditions and suited for hot cell (HC) environment as well as closing gaps in the output of CRP F13017 that are specific for the respective test methods addressed.
- To establish reference guidelines for tensile, creep, low cycle fatigue, fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate tests using small specimens for RAFM steels. A focus will be on achieving a firm basis for test results at elevated temperatures. Formulation of guidelines will follow criteria and practice from well-established standards like ASTM or ISO.
- To establish guidelines for the use of SSTT taking into account the need of integrating these elements or data gathered from SSTT into nuclear code frameworks.
How to join this CRP:
Interested research centres must submit their Proposal for Research Contract or Agreement by email to the IAEA’s Research Contracts Administration Section, using the appropriate template on the CRA website no later than 8 April 2022. For further information related to this CRP, potential applicants should use the contact form under the CRP page.
