Used Fuel Disposition Campaign: Phase I Ring Compression Testing of High-Burnup Cladding
The purpose of ring compression testing is to generate data to support the development of the technical basis for extended storage and transportation of high-burnup fuel. Argonne National Laboratory developed the methodology of using ring compression tests (RCTs) for radial-hydride-treated (RHT) cladding to generate data for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on the behavior of high-burnup Zircaloy-4 (Zry-4) and ZIRLO™ cladding. The RHT/RCT methodology is an established test protocol accepted by NRC for generating data to support the technical basis for licensing storage and transportation casks with high-burnup fuel. In July 2011, Phase I testing for DOE on high-burnup M5 ® cladding was initiated under the ANL FY11 Work Package Transportation; Phase I testing for DOE on high-burnup M5 ® cladding continued into fiscal year 2012 under the ANL FY12 Work Package Engineering Materials Experimental. This report highlights the results of completed Phase I testing of high-burnup M5 ® cladding and the revised three-year test plan, which is included in the Appendix.