NUC E/Metals 523 Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power
Plants
Course Description
This course covers the unique problems encountered by materials when
exposed to nuclear reactor environments for an extended period of time.
Materials performance is critical to the functioning of nuclear power
plants, especially as they age and approach the end of their operating
licenses. The degradation of materials performance, as exemplified by
embrittlement, cracking, general corrosion, irradiation creep, void
swelling, irradiation growth and increase susceptibility to corrosion
attack, results from the synergistic combination of high temperature,
stress, displacement damage to materials and aggressive electrochemistry
(caused by radiolysis). Hence, it is necessary to combine the knowledge from
the fields of radiation effects, electrochemistry, and nuclear engineering
to develop a coherent quantitative understanding of these degradation
processes, and thus help design and operate nuclear power plants safely and
efficiently.
Current Course Offering Schedule via C&DE
Semester: Fall 2008
Time and Date:
TBA
Location: 327
Sackett Building
Start Date:
August 25, 2008
End Date: December
19, 2008
Course Instructors:
Dr. Arthur Motta
email: atm2@psu.edu
