The MARIA reactor at Narodowe Centrum Badań Jądrowych in Poland is the source of the neutrons used for radionuclide production, material modifications and scientific research. UKAEA have recently completed a neutron irradiation campaign in this reactor and are making the first samples available for open access to support research.
User access to these samples and the UKAEA Materials Research Facility (MRF) is offered fully funded by the Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials, through its researcher access scheme over the first quarter of 2023.
This irradiation campaign consists of roughly 400 individual samples covering a broad range of irradiated materials. The first samples available are now accessible for work in the MRF at UKAEA. This first call is open until 30th June 2023 and applications will be reviewed immediately upon submission to UKAEA.
First samples available are CuCrZr alloy heat treated for 2 hours at 480°C, 600°C and 700°C and Glidcop Cu-AL15, Cu-Al25 and Cu-Al60. Samples currently available with target temperature and damage values.
| Target Irradiation Temperature (°C) | ||||
| 200 | 200 | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Neutron Fluence (n/cm2) | ||||
| 8.1×1020 | 1.5 x1021 | 2.2 x1021 | 2.4×1021 | 4.6×1021 |
| Target dose (dpa) | ||||
| 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 |
Further information regarding the available samples and facilities available can be provided on request. Enquiries and applications should be made directly to royce@mrf.ukaea.uk.