The Micro-Characterization Laboratory (MCL) is dedicated to the experimental study of microstructure and micromechanics. The lab provides insights into the complex coupling between microstructure, its defects and the mechanical behavior of small volumes of metals, ceramic, polymers and composites.
Such studies contribute to the understanding of synergistic effects of material degradation sources in nuclear environments (irradiation, high temperature, high pressure, corrosion) which underpins the development of predictive mechanism-based multiscale models of material behavior. This is of cross-cutting relevance to the safe long-term operation of current Nuclear Power Plants and the safe design for 60+ years operation of advanced nuclear systems as well as fusion reactors.
The facilities include high resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, Plasma Focussed Ion Beam (Pfib) and microanalysis, Atomic Force Microscopy, high temperature nanoindentation tester in vacuum, in-situ micromechanical testing inside the SEM, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Nanoparticle generator, micro mebrane bulge test with digital image correlation cameras. X-ray Diffraction and Computed Tomography are also available as shared facilities in Petten.