Zirconium-based alloys are used in water-cooled nuclear reactors for both nuclear fuel cladding and structural components. Under this harsh environment, the main factor limiting the service life of zirconium cladding, and hence fuel burn-up efficiency, is water corrosion. This oxidation process has recently been linked to the presence of a sub-oxide phase with well-defined composition but unkno...

C ladding is a well-established process for improving the wear and corrosion resistance of metal parts. While traditional arc welding and laser-based methods are economically viable processes that deliver excellent results, there is a risk of carbide grain formation during the cladding process, which can compromise the mechanical strength and lifetime of the cladding. This article reviews a new...

Engineering plasmonic metamaterials with anisotropic optical dispersion enables us to tailor the properties of metamaterial-based waveguides. We investigate plasmonic waveguides with dielectric cores and multilayer metal-dielectric claddings with hyperbolic dispersion. Without using any homogenization, we calculate the resonant eigenmodes of the finite-width cladding layers, and find agreement ...

A metre-length flexible hollow glass fibre with 20 µm-bore and 1.5 mm-cladding diameters for transporting a synchrotron X-ray beam and controlling the trajectory has been examined. The large cladding diameter maintains a moderate curvature to satisfy the shallow glancing angle of total reflection. The observed transmission efficiency was more than 20% at 12.4 keV. As a demonstration, a wide-are...

Laser remanufacturing has been used as an approach to refurbish or to improve the surface quality of high-priced parts. However, most of the existing systems lack measuring and modelling functions, which results in the uncertainty of the quality of end products. This paper presents a three-dimensional Laser Remanufacturing System (LRS) based on the integration of reverse engineering and laser c...

The coaxial laser cladding process is the heart of direct metal deposition DMD . Rapid materials processing, such as DMD, is steadily becoming a tool for synthesis of materials, as well as rapid manufacturing. Mathematical models to develop the fundamental understanding of the physical phenomena associated with the coaxial laser cladding process are essential to further develop the science base...

In recent years, rehabilitation has been the subject of extensive research due to increased spending on building work and repair of built works. In all cases, it is absolutely essential to carry out methods of strengthening or repair of structural elements, and that following an inspection analysis and methodology of a correct diagnosis. The reinforced concrete columns are important elements in...

Zirconium alloys have been used as a fuel cladding material for a long time because they have good corrosion resistance and irradiation stability in a reactor environment. However, it was recognized that the severe oxidation and creep ballooning behaviors of zirconium alloy cladding tubes at an accident condition of a nuclear reactor have to be considered to improve nuclear plant safety after t...

A review of the chemistry occurring inside a nuclear power plant during a serious reactor accident is presented. This includes some aspects of the behavior of nuclear fuel, its cladding, cesium and iodine. This review concentrates on the chemistry of an accident in a water-cooled reactor loaded with uranium dioxide or mixed metal oxide fuel. Subjects: Chemistry; Environmental Chemistry; Inorgan...