• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2016

For a long time, a top priority in the nuclear industry was the safe, reliable, and economic operation of light water reactors. However, the development of accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) became a hot topic in the nuclear research field after the March 2011 events at Fukushima, Japan. In Korea, innovative concepts of ATF have been developing to increase fuel safety and reliability during normal operations, operational transients, and also accident events. The microcell $UO_2$ and high-density composite pellet concepts are being developed as ATF pellets. A microcell $UO_2$ pellet is envisaged to have the enhanced retention capabilities of highly radioactive and corrosive fission products. High-density pellets are expected to be used in combination with the particular ATF cladding concepts. Two concepts-surface-modified Zr-based alloy and SiC composite material-are being developed as ATF cladding, as these innovative concepts can effectively suppress hydrogen explosions and the release of radionuclides into the environment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 1985

Iodine-induced stress corrosion cracking tests of Zircaloy-4 cladding were undertaken using the modified infernal pressurization method. The effects of iodine concentration and applied stress were studied. The critical iodine concentration for SCC was found to be about 0.2 mg/$\textrm{cm}^2$ at 603$^{\circ}$K. The threshold stress was dependent on the test temperature and the mechanical properties of the specimen. The fracture surface showed that the crack propagated stepwise iron one grain to others until the material was unstable and then ruptured mechanically. The initial region showed the transgranular feature and the wedge-shaped cracks. As the crack proceeded, the transgranular and ductile-tearing mired feature appeared in the middle region.