Institute of Nuclear TechnologyWorking to further enhance the safety
and reliability of nuclear power

Working to further enhance the safety and reliability of nuclear power
Researching the Durability of Materials

The metallic materials used in nuclear power plants are subject to corrosion in high temperature water, as well as degradation due to neutron irradiation. For this reason, it is necessary to elucidate those degradation mechanisms in order to ensure the long-term safety of power plants.
The Material Technology Group is carrying out mechanical and corrosion experiments using both the actual and simulated materials of nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, and low-alloy steels, which are the main structural materials used in nuclear power plant pipes and structures. Since October 2010, the Group has been committed to observation and analysis using the “Hot Labo” installed by KEPCO in Fugen Decommissioning Engineering Center of Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Also, through material characterization and numerical analysis for assessing crack propagation, the Group is involved in the research for elucidation of the mechanism of corrosion, fatigue and irradiation damage on aged structural materials and the prediction of material degradation.
Furthermore, the Group is playing the role of specialist doctor of nuclear power plants; thereby the Group is investigating the cause of failure actually occurring in equipment and pipes.As a “specialist doctor” for nuclear power plants, the Group is investigating the causes of actual failures occurring on equipment and piping in the nuclear power plants.
The Group is engaged in the development of the non-destructive testing techniques that can accurately detect and assess, at an earlier stage, the extent of aging in the power plant components and materials that are important to plant safety.

Corrosion Team

Simulating an environment identical to a nuclear power plant, the team carries out research on degradation mechanisms due to corrosion.

Irradiation Team

This team carries out research on degradation mechanisms due to neutron irradiation.

             

Inspection Team

This team develops the non-destructive testing techniques.

Corrosion test rig

Development of non-destructive testing techniques or metal materials

The Group is developing ultrasonic test technique for detecting defects in nuclear power plant piping and for high precision determination of depth and length measurements of such defects. We are also involved in the development of technology for using thermoelectricity to assess the embrittlement of materials, such as in piping and reactor vessels.

Key Achievements – Books & Brochures

Key Achievements

  • Automatic ultrasonic flaw detection device has been developed using a large aperture twin crystal transducer; this device boasts greater ability to detect defects in the welds within the primary coolant piping. Applicability of this device has been reviewed on the site

  • Cable aging diagnosis technique whose usefulness has been ascertained in Japan’s state-sponsored research project

Staff

  • Nuclear Power Plant Aging Research CenterMaterial Technology GroupLeader
    Katsuhiko FujiiLINK
  • Nuclear Power Plant Aging Research CenterMaterial Technology Group
    Hitoshi IshidaLINK
  • Nuclear Power Plant Aging Research CenterMaterial Technology Group
    Takuyo YamadaLINK
  • Nuclear Power Plant Aging Research CenterMaterial Technology Group
    Terumitsu MiuraLINK
  • Nuclear Power Plant Aging Research CenterMaterial Technology Group
    yoshiari kaneshimaLINK
  • Nuclear Power Plant Aging Research CenterMaterial Technology Group
    Takumi TerachiLINK
  • Nuclear Power Plant Aging Research CenterMaterial Technology Group
    Yuki MaedaLINK