On completion of this tutorial you should be able to:
- understand the basic physics behind nuclear fission;
- describe the common features of nuclear reactors;
- understand the various neutron cross-sections;
- explain the mechanisms of radiation damage, and its consequences, particularly for structural steels;
- understand the material problems associated with extreme conditions, in particular large radiation fluxes;
- explain the materials selection for the components at the heart of a nuclear reactor:
- moderators;
- control rods;
- cladding.
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