Structural Materials

The safety of nuclear reactors critically depends on the mechanical behavior of structural materials under harsh environmental conditions (neutron irradiation, high temperatures). In the framework of the program NUSAFE (Nuclear Waste Management, Safety and Radiation Research) of the Helmholtz Association we characterize irradiated reactor materials from the nm-scale to the macro-scale. Our focus:

• Long-term irradiation effects in reactor pressure vessel steels of running and new-build reactors in the context of lifetime extension
• Assessment of the irradiation tolerance of innovative materials for future reactor concepts including nuclear fusion (e.g. ferritic/martensitic Cr-steels, oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, the emerging class of high-entropy alloys)

The methodical spectrum co­vers the full functional chain from nm-scale irradiation-induced defects to macroscopic mechanical properties and aims at the identification, better understanding and mitigation of irradiation effects. The new insight substantially contributes to the scientific background for the safety assessment of nuclear reactors. The research relies on a unique infrastructure including the hot cell labs for the investigation of neutron-irradiated materials as well as the HZDR Ion Beam Center for ion irradiation experiments.

Our expertise:

• Mechanical testing of irradiated materials
• Nano-/Microstructure characterization of irradiated materials
• Ion irradiation to emulate neutron irradiation effects

Current projects

• Innovative structural materials for fission and fusion
  (INNUMAT, EU, HORIZON-EURATOM, 2022-2026)
• European Database for Multiscale Modelling of Radiation Damage
  (ENTENTE, EU-H2020-Euratom, 2020-2024)
• Fracture mechanics testing of irradiated RPV steels by means of sub-sized specimens
  (FRACTESUS, EU-H2020-Euratom, 2020-2024)
• Structural Materials research for safe Long Term Operation of LWR NPPs
  (STRUMAT-LTO, EU-H2020-Euratom, 2020-2024)
• Untersuchungen zum Ausheilverhalten von Reaktordruckbehälterstählen bei niedrigen Temperaturen
  (WetAnnealing, BMWI, 2020-2025)
• Physical modelling and modelling-oriented experiments for structural materials 2
  (IOANIS2, EERA-JPNM Pilote Project, 2023 - 2027, coordinator HZDR)
• In-situ experiments for nuclear applications
  (INSITEX, EERA-JPNM Pilote Project, 2023 - 2027)
• On the use of small punch as high-throughput screening technique to extract mechanical properties of ion irradiated materials
  (SHERPA, EERA-JPNM Pilote Project, 2023 - 2027)

Latest Publication

More publications

Team

Head
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Eberhard Altstadt	801/P151	2276	e.altstadthzdr.de
Dr. Cornelia Kaden	801/P102	3431	c.kaden@hzdr.de, c.heintzehzdr.de
Employees
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Frank Bergner	801/P150	3186	f.bergnerhzdr.de
Dr. Paul Chekhonin	801/P146	2149	p.chekhoninhzdr.de
Vanessa Dykas	801/P105	3363	v.dykashzdr.de
Mario Houska	801/P148	2242	m.houskahzdr.de
Jens Pietzsch	801/P032	2814 3550	jens.pietzschhzdr.de
Dr. Andreas Ulbricht	801/P146	3155	a.ulbrichthzdr.de
Tilo Welz	801/P032	2814	t.welzhzdr.de

Latest publication

More publications

Team

Head
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Eberhard Altstadt	801/P151	2276	e.altstadthzdr.de
Dr. Cornelia Kaden	801/P102	3431	c.kaden@hzdr.de, c.heintzehzdr.de
Employees
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Frank Bergner	801/P150	3186	f.bergnerhzdr.de
Dr. Paul Chekhonin	801/P146	2149	p.chekhoninhzdr.de
Vanessa Dykas	801/P105	3363	v.dykashzdr.de
Mario Houska	801/P148	2242	m.houskahzdr.de
Jens Pietzsch	801/P032	2814 3550	jens.pietzschhzdr.de
Dr. Andreas Ulbricht	801/P146	3155	a.ulbrichthzdr.de
Tilo Welz	801/P032	2814	t.welzhzdr.de