• Question: tell me what material your reseaching now?

    Asked by anon-267532 to Bradley on 5 Nov 2020.
    • Photo: Bradley Young

      Bradley Young answered on 5 Nov 2020:

      So my research at the moment is focused on how to improve zirconium alloys (metal mixtures) for future nuclear reactors. To achieve this I will be alloying with other metals like aluminium, copper and vanadium.

      Unfortunately, there isn’t that much previous research in to zirconium compared with other metals so I’m currently investigating zirconium’s similarities with steel and titanium which both have a lot of research in to them so that I can make better decisions in my zirconium research

Comments

  • Photo: Alex

    Alex commented on :

    My materials are iron alloys with added manganese, nickel and silicon. Metals that mostly contain iron are collectively known as steels and there are thousands of different mixtures (AKA alloys!) My research is looking at certain steels that are used as pressure vessels in nuclear reactors. The way their properties change when exposed to radiation is really important for predicting their strength and toughness over the long periods they are required for. If these steels fail…there could be some serious leaks of radioactive material.