An Approach to Model Stress Corrosion Cracking in Nuclear Fuels Containing a Graphite Coating

Abstract

This work builds on existing fuel models developed at RMCC using the COMSOL Multiphysics platform. The fuel parameters relevant to Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) for in-reactor conditions are being modelled to develop an improved tool to predict SCC. The model will incorporate a critical sheath stress to initiate cracking of the protective oxide layer and the impact of CANLUB on iodine concentrations with burnup. Modelling of a stress-dependant critical crack depth to initiate sheath rupture is also being explored. The model will be benchmarked against a large database of SCC power reactor and experimental test reactor data available from the open literature. This paper will outline the proposed methodology for development and implementation of the model.