Examining the thermal properties of unirradiated nuclear grade graphite between 750 and 2500 K
File(s)accepted version.pdf (11.82 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This study presents the first high temperature measurements (between 750 K and 2500 K) of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat and spectral emissivity of virgin graphite samples (type IM1-24) from advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) fuel assembly bricks. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray computed tomography (XRT) techniques were used to verify the presence of Gilsocarbon filler particles (a characteristic microstructural feature of IM1-24 graphite). All thermal properties were investigated in two orthogonal directions, which showed the effective macroscopic thermal conductivity to be the same (to within experimental error). This can be linked to the morphology of the filler particles that consist of concentrically aligned graphitic platelets. The resulting spherical symmetry allows for heat to flow in the same manner in both macroscopic directions. The current thermal conductivity results were compared to other isotropic grade graphite materials. The significant discrepancies between the thermal conductivities of the individual grades are likely the result of different manufacturing processes yielding variations in the microstructure of the final product. Differences were identified in the filler particle size and structure, and possibly the degree of graphitization compared to other reported nuclear graphites.
Date Issued
2020-09
Date Acceptance
2020-04-13
Citation
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2020, 538, pp.1-11
ISSN
0022-3115
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1
End Page
11
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Nuclear Materials
Volume
538
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022311519315375?via%3Dihub
Subjects
Energy
0912 Materials Engineering
Publication Status
Published online
Article Number
ARTN 152176
Date Publish Online
2020-04-30