Title

An Analysis of Signal Stabilization Heat Treatments of High Temperature Irradiation Resistant Thermocouples

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-15-2019

College

College of Engineering

Department

Department of Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Brian J. Jaques

Abstract

The development of nuclear technology is dependent on the acquisition of reliable, real-time in-pile data. The Idaho National Laboratory is developing high temperature irradiation resistant thermocouples (HTIR-TCs) for continuous use above 1400 °C in nuclear reactor cores. Prior to installation in a reactor, a heat treatment above the maximum expected operating temperature is applied to stabilize the HTIR-TC to reduce signal drift with time at exposure. The effects of stabilization treatments on the properties of thermocouples is not well understood. To analyze these effects, thermocouples were examined before and after heat treatment. The effective mechanical properties of the thermocouples were determined using three-point flexural testing. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) were utilized for chemical analysis of the thermoelements and sheaths. This poster discusses the effects of stabilization heat treatments on the thermocouples chemical and physical behavior.

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