Work

The project is devoted to fundamental research of structural materials of VVR reactors and shells of fuel cells under neutron irradiation to determine the nature of the development of radiation damage that causes loss of their physical and mechanical properties. The project envisages the application of developed methods of multiscale modeling of radiation defects and segregation processes in alloys based on iron and zirconium. The project provides for the establishment of structural and energy characteristics of defect clusters by atomistic methods; development of theoretical positions of cluster dynamics for the purpose of receiving statistical characteristics of clusters of defects, establishment of features of growth of dislocation loops and pores; identification of features of radiation growth in zirconium alloys, swelling of iron-based alloys and evaluation of strength characteristics of alloys under different conditions of irradiation and the contribution of impurities in the framework of the generalized theory of reaction rates; elucidation of conditions of stability of secondary phases at irradiation in zirconium alloys and structural steels of reactor bodies at a combination of methods of the theory of speeds, the theory of a phase field, thermodynamic approaches and the theory of elasticity. The results of the project research will allow to propose recommendations on the changes made to the existing design models of embrittlement, in particular in the preparation of appropriate technical solutions for extending the service life of reactor vessels of Ukrainian NPPs. In addition, the results obtained in the project will accelerate the process of creating new materials for shells of fuel cells and hull steels, resistant to constant exposure to high doses of radiation for new generation reactors.