This course aims at explaining the types, requirements, properties and behavior of the different nuclear materials and their role in the safe operation of nuclear reactors. This is done after reviewing how the microstructure of the different material types affects their properties.
First, the course identifies the general requirements of the nuclear materials, outlines the mechanical, thermal and nuclear properties of nuclear materials, lists the different components of nuclear reactors, and differentiates between the properties of the different materials used in nuclear reactors.
The course explains the basic radiation damage processes and the effects of radiation on nuclear material properties. The different fuel material types are summarized and the fuel performance during normal operation is explained.