PNNL

Abstract

A review is presented of our current understanding of those factors related to the radiation environment that must be considered in the conduct and analysis of LWR-relevant experiments on the in-service aging of stainless steels. The majority of the review focuses on the impact of spatial and temporal details of the neutron and gamma ray spectra, which are shown to vary more strongly than usually perceived. Problems associated with predictions of LWR behavior from fast reactor or charged particle data are also explored. Finally, an assessment is made of progress on previously identified and new outstanding problems, both microscopic and macroscopic in nature, identifying those problems close to resolution and those still requiring additional research.