Authors: Hodgkins, A.¹; Marrow, T. J.²; Wootton, M. R.³; Moskovic, R.³; Flewitt, P. E. J.⁴

Source: Materials Science and Technology, Volume 26, Number 8, August 2010 , pp. 899-907(9)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Included in the following Connect Compilations:

• Volume 5, Number 4

Abstract:

This paper provides a view on the fracture behaviour of polygranular graphites, used to moderate gas cooled nuclear reactors. Graphite is often cited as a classic example of a brittle material because failure, in tension, is associated with small strains. However, attempts to characterise the fracture behaviour of graphite by linear elastic fracture mechanics methods have been largely unsuccessful. Observations of graphite fracture show that elastic strain energy may be dissipated by the formation of distributed microcracks, and their formation may be responsible for non-linearity in the rising load–displacement curve. Progressive softening behaviour may also be observed in some specimens after the peak load. This type of load–displacement behaviour is a characteristic of quasi-brittle materials. Radiolytic oxidation increases the proportion of porosity within reactor core graphite so that the microstructure becomes increasingly skeletal. Consideration is given to the fracture of radiolytically oxidised graphite to support an argument for quasi-brittle behaviour.

Keywords: QUASI-BRITTLE; PROCESS ZONE; REACTOR CORE; GRAPHITE; FRACTURE; POROSITY

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/026708309X12526555493477

Affiliations: 1: Serco TAS, Faraday Street, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 66A, UK;, Email: Andrew.hodgkins@Sercoassurance.com 2: Materials Performance Centre, School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK 3: Magnox North Ltd, Oldbury Naite, Oldbury-on-Severn, Bristol, BS35 1RQ, UK 4: Magnox North Ltd, Oldbury Naite, Oldbury-on-Severn, Bristol, BS35 1RQ, UK, Departmet of Physics, HH Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

Publication date: 2010-08-01

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