NSERC/UNENE Industrial Research Chair in Nuclear Materials

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The Industrial Research Chair program supports the life management of the fuel channel, a key mechanical**system in a CANDU(R) nuclear power reactor. It supports the CANDU Owner's Group R&D program to**address life management issues in the existing fleet of 27 operating reactors, as well as research programs at**Candu Energy and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to develop improved fuel channel materials and designs for**refurbishment of both existing plants and for future CANDU power plants in the short, medium and long term.**The purpose is to further the fundamental understanding of nuclear materials and to develop applied technology**required by the industry in this area. This includes radiation-induced deformation of nuclear materials**(especially zirconium alloys), the fracture properties of such materials and the relationship of properties to**manufacturing variables, crystallographic texture and microstructure.**There are five major research themes:**1.Experimental studies of the deformation of Zr alloys (plasticity, creep, fatigue)**2.Effect of irradiation: a) on the deformation and microstructure of Zr and Ni alloys, and b) on fracture**(fatigue, hydride properties, DHC)**3.Effects of hydrides on the properties of Zr alloys**4.Modelling: a) of deformation, and b) of effect of hydrides on Zr alloys**5.Control of microstructure and texture of alpha-beta zirconium alloys.**The program also serves to train graduate students in an area where there is a strong demand for expert HQP.