Advanced nuclear reactor materials research in Australia: high temperature properties, radiation effects and corrosion behaviour

Abstract

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and its predecessor, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission has a long history in nuclear-based research and development. This is continuing through Australia’s recent membership of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF). As Australia’s implementing agent within GIF, ANSTO is focussing the majority of its research on nuclear materials engineering including structural performance evaluations in complex nuclear environments, advanced manufacturing, and system reliability assessment. Although this work concentrates on the Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) and Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) systems most of the research outcomes are applicable to a wide range of advanced nuclear reactor systems.