Investigation of Effects of Fusion Relevant Irradiation Damage on Electron Welded P91

This project will be collaboration between the University of Manchester (Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, Department of Materials), University of Manchester at Harwell (UoMaH) and will also link closely with the MTL at UKAEA.

P91 steel is being used as a proxy for reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steels such as EUROFER 97 in research being conducted for nuclear fusion applications. RAFM steels will be used for in-vessel plasma-facing components (PFCs) such as breeding blanket and divertor in future demonstration (DEMO) fusion reactors. P91 grade steels can be used as a proxy when conducting research into the welding behaviour of EUROFER97. For such PFCs, the joints are critical areas that need to be studied to ensure the structural integrity of the design. The response of joints to the harsh conditions in a fusion reactor is not well known.

This project will investigate the response of electron welded P91 to fusion reactor conditions through advanced experimental techniques. Ion irradiation will be used as a proxy for neutron damage in P91, and the effect on microstructure will be analysed. The materials will be characterised using X-ray/neutron diffraction techniques, with the possible addition of computed tomography (CT), using in-situ mechanical testing experiments to investigate the mechanical behaviours of irradiated welds. The project will be based at the University of Manchester and also make use of the National Lab Facilities at Diamond Light Source (DLS) and ISIS, supervised by Dr. Ed Pickering at the University of Manchester and Dr. Aneeqa Khan and Prof Neil Bourne at the University of Manchester at Harwell. The project will also work closely with the Materials Technology group at UKAEA.

In GREEN we envisage there are potentially Impacts in several domains: the nuclear Sector; the wider Clean Growth Agenda; Government Policy & Strategy; and the Wider Public.

The two major outputs from Green will be Human Capital and Knowledge:

Human Capital: The GREEN CDT will deliver a pipeline of approximately 90 highly skilled entrants to the nuclear sector, with a broad understanding of wider sector challenges (formed through the training element of the programme) and deep subject matter expertise (developed through their research project). As evidenced by our letters of support, our CDT graduates are in high demand by the sector. Indeed, our technical and skills development programme has been co-created with key sector employers, to ensure that it delivers graduates who will meet their future requirements, with the creativity, ambition, and relational skills to think critically & independently and grow as subject matter experts. Our graduates are therefore a primary conduit to delivering impact via outcomes of research projects (generally co-created and co-produced with end users); as intelligent and effective agents of change, through employment in the sector; and strong professional networks.

Knowledge: The research outcomes from GREEN will be disseminated by students as open access peer reviewed publications in appropriate quality titles (with a target of 2 per student, 180 in total) and at respected conferences. Data & codes will be managed & archived for open access in accordance with institutional policies, consistent with UKRI guidelines. We will collaborate with our counterpart CDTs in fission and fusion to deliver a national student conference as a focus for dissemination of research, professional networking, and development of wider peer networks.

There are three major areas where GREEN will provide impact: the nuclear sector; clean growth; Policy and Strategy and Outreach.

the nuclear sector: One of our most significant impacts will be to create the next generation of nuclear research leaders. We will achieve this by carefully matching student experience with user needs.

clean growth - The proposed GREEN CDT, as a provider of highly skilled entrants to the profession, is therefore a critical enabler in supporting delivery of both the Clean Growth agenda, Nuclear Industry Strategy, and Nuclear Sector Deal, as evidenced by the employment rate of our graduates (85% into the sector industry) and the attached letters of support.

Policy and Strategy: The GREEN leadership and supervisory team provide input and expert advice across all UK Governments, and also to the key actors in the nuclear industry (see Track Records, Sections 3.3 & 5.1, CfS). Thus, we are well positioned to inculcate an understanding of the rapidly changing nuclear strategy and policy landscape which will shape their future careers.

Outreach to the wider public: Building on our track record of high quality, and acclaimed activities, delivered in NGN, GREEN will deliver an active programme of public engagement which we will coordinate with activities of other nuclear CDTs. Our training programme provides skills based training in public and media communication, enabling our students to act as effective and authoritative communicators and ambassadors. Examples of such activities delivered during NGN include: The Big Bang Fair, Birmingham 2014 - 2017; British Science Week, 2013 - 2017; ScienceX, Manchester; 2016 - 2018; and The Infinity Festival, Cumbria, 2017.