| Abstract Scope |
Nuclear power generated by using the heat from a fission reaction is clean, and it is safe. This form of commercial civilian electricity has been in use for over six decades mainly by means of light water cooled reactors. The type of alloys and materials employed for the construction of these reactors has changed little since their initial design and selection in the 1940s. Currently the international materials community is considering novel alternatives to the traditional materials for both the cladding and the fuel in the reactors. Three main options exist for the cladding; (a) coated zirconium alloys, (b) FeCrAl alloys, and (c) silicon carbide based composites. Newer fuel concepts include (1) modified urania, and (2) higher uranium density materials. The use of the newer proposed materials not only will increase the operation life of the reactors, but it will also make the reactors safer to operate. |