Prioritizing Nuclear Materials for SAM-3 Neutron Irradiation Campaign: Structural and Cladding Materials Candidates

Song, Rongjie [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0009000790378654); Heidrich, Brenden J [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000156393307); Knight, Collin J [Idaho National Laboratory]; Barr, Christopher M [U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy]

DOE OSTI · 3030713

Prioritizing Nuclear Materials for SAM-3 Neutron Irradiation Campaign: Structural and Cladding Materials Candidates

Song, Rongjie [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0009000790378654)·Heidrich, Brenden J [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000156393307)·Knight, Collin J [Idaho National Laboratory]·Barr, Christopher M [U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy]

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Abstract

This report outlines a framework for selecting structural and cladding materials for the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) SAM-3 neutron irradiation campaign to support the advancement of nuclear energy technologies. The document begins with an introduction that provides background context, highlights the motivations for launching a new irradiation campaign, and defines the overall objectives. The core of the report describes the design considerations for the irradiation campaign, including capsule configurations, irradiation temperature ranges, and target dose levels (defined by displacements per atom, or dpa). The material recommendation was guided by the Specimen Identification and Prioritization (SIP) Working Group, a multidisciplinary team of experts representing national laboratories, academia, industry, federal government and agency. This group played a central role in identifying candidate materials, evaluating technical justifications, and ensuring alignment with boarder programmatic goals. A detailed set of criteria for material prioritization is then presented, taking into account reactor relevance, performance gaps, advanced manufacturing methods, and emerging material classes. Based on the input of SIP working group, specific materials were selected and justified for inclusion in the irradiation campaign by the NSUF leadership and its U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) management. The final section provides recommended capsule designs, summarizing critical parameters such as material type, fabrication method, sample geometry, irradiation conditions, and specimen quantities. This report serves as a foundation for executing a focused and high-impact neutron irradiation campaign aimed at addressing key materials challenges for both existing and advanced nuclear reactors.

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Song, Rongjie [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0009000790378654), Heidrich, Brenden J [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000156393307), Knight, Collin J [Idaho National Laboratory], Barr, Christopher M [U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy]. 2025-06-20. Prioritizing Nuclear Materials for SAM-3 Neutron Irradiation Campaign: Structural and Cladding Materials Candidates. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/3030713

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