Pore structure analysis of nuclear graphites IG-110 and NBG-18

G. Q. Zheng, P. Xu, K. Sridharan, T. R. Allen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nuclear graphite is a major structural component for fuel elements and reactor cores. Some nuclear graphites have been considered as potential candidate structural materials for very high temperature reactor (VHTR) cores. The pore structure in nuclear graphite plays an important role in irradiation performance and oxidation resistance during operation. In this work, the pore structure of nuclear graphite grades IG-110 and NBG-18 was analyzed and compared through calculation and visualized images characterization. Apparent density and porosity were calculated using a geometrical method. A Brunauer-Emmett- Teller (BET) measurement was applied to evaluate the specific surface area, the pore volume and the average pore size of open pores based on the nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms at 77.35K. The morphology of the pores within both nuclear graphites was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The visualized two dimensional (2-D) and three dimensional (3-D) images were presented to directly reveal the pore structure of nuclear graphite. Cracks of different sizes on the inside surface of the pores were observed for NBG-18. The binder phase and the filler phase were characterized using SEM of the fractured surface of both graphites.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Materials Science for Environmental and Nuclear Technology II
Pages251-260
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventAdvances in Materials Science for Environmental and Nuclear Technology II - Materials Science and Technology 2010 Conference and Exhibition, MS and T'10 - Houston, TX, United States
Duration: Oct 17 2010Oct 21 2010

Publication series

NameCeramic Transactions
Volume227
ISSN (Print)1042-1122

Conference

ConferenceAdvances in Materials Science for Environmental and Nuclear Technology II - Materials Science and Technology 2010 Conference and Exhibition, MS and T'10
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHouston, TX
Period10/17/1010/21/10

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