Improving the Understanding of Irradiation Creep Behaviour in Nuclear Graphite Models and Mechanisms

This IAEA publication consolidates the current state of knowledge on irradiation induced creep in nuclear graphite - a key phenomenon governing the structural integrity and lifetime of graphite components in nuclear reactors, such as gas cooled and graphite moderated reactors. Building on the outcomes of the IAEA Coordinated Research Project CRP I3 1019, this TECDOC reviews the underlying physical mechanisms of irradiation-induced creep in graphite, historical and more recent experimental data, existing models, and discusses findings that can be applied to the design of advanced reactors with graphite as structural component and/or moderator. It is intended for technical stakeholders including government officials, researchers and academic staff, and nuclear industry professionals interested in the irradiation creep behaviour of nuclear graphite.