SCIP IV / V – Studsvik Cladding Integrity Project

The project will include basic and safety research on cladding performance under interim and final storage conditions. These include the creep behaviour of cladding tubes under interim storage conditions, the hydrogen fracture mechanisms in cladding tube material and the associated hydride reorientation, the interaction between fuel and cladding tube (pellet cladding interaction, fuel thresholds), the permeation of gases in the fuel, the microstructure in high burn-up fuels, the mechanical behaviour of irradiated fuel assemblies and the fragmentation behaviour of different irradiated fuel types. The experimental programme addresses a large number of the research questions identified by BGZ, some of which are also being carried out in parameter areas relevant to Germany. BGZ’s role includes active participation in the research programme. This involves regular discussions about the design, procedure and sample material of the experiments that are conducted, as well as the evaluation and interpretation of the results obtained.