Japanese R&D program for development of accident tolerant fuel materials

Yamashita, Shinichiro

no journal, , 

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has conducted and coordinated a Japanese R&D project of accident tolerant fuel (ATF) for establishing technical basis of ATF under a program sponsored and organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). ATF candidate materials under consideration in the METI program are silicon carbide (SiC) composite and FeCrAl steel strengthened by dispersion of fine oxide particles (FeCrAl-ODS). SiC composite is a highly attractive material because of its lower hydrogen generation rate and lower reaction heat in comparison with conventional Zircaloy. Therefore, practical uses for a fuel cladding of pressurized water reactor (PWR) and for the fuel cladding, channel box of boiling water reactor (BWR) are expected. On the other hand, FeCrAl-ODS steel is a promising material and is considered to apply to the fuel cladding of BWR.