The study of material behaviour under irradiation such as structural materials, coolants, and fuel materials is fundamental for the development of innovative SMR systems. Understanding the combined impact of radiation, coolant environment, and high-temperature mechanical loading on the performance of materials subject to environmentally assisted degradation is crucial for the safe operation of small modular reactors. This affects SMRs with various designs and coolant environments, ranging from light-water systems to heavy-liquid-metal-cooled systems and the molten-salt concept.Small modular reactors Materials Research: Testing and IrradiationEU 2025 JRC research on materials for SMRs The Joint Research Centre (JRC) focuses on addressing materials technology for both water-cooled and non-water-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs). Key research activitiesEnvironmental degradation assessmentInvestigating stress-corrosion and irradiation-assisted stress corrosion in heavy liquid metal and molten salt coolants.Testing and irradiation methodologiesDeveloping best practices for mechanical testing, including nano- and micromechanical tests and small specimen testing.Equivalence schemes for irradiation effectsCreating methods to emulate neutron irradiation effects using proton or ion irradiation.Additive manufacturingExploring advanced manufacturing techniques for producing irradiation-resistant materials and components.Molten salt testing infrastructureContributing to the establishment of a dedicated molten salt environmental testing laboratory. Research InfrastructureThe research leverages advanced data management to create machine learning algorithms for data analysis. It builds on the exploitation of JRC’s specialised laboratories: LILLA - JRC laboratories for material testing in liquid leadMCL - material micro-characterisation laboratorySMPA - structural material performance assessment laboratoryAMALIA - materials ageing in light water reactor environments laboratoryHFR - High-Flux Reactor in Petten. European standardisation programme The European standardisation Programme for 2025 aims to support the EU's strategic priorities, includingdecarbonizationcircular economyenhancing industrial competitiveness. EU Funded Euratom Horizon Europe projects Learn about scientific research around SMR' structural materials under the EU-funded Euratom Horizon Europe programme: CONNECT-NMAdvancing research, development and innovation in the field of nuclear materials.INNUMATInnovative structural materials for fission and fusion.ENDURANCESupport the safe operation and the technological development of Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology in Europe.EASI SMRPowering a safer future for Light Water SMRs.
The study of material behaviour under irradiation such as structural materials, coolants, and fuel materials is fundamental for the development of innovative SMR systems. Understanding the combined impact of radiation, coolant environment, and high-temperature mechanical loading on the performance of materials subject to environmentally assisted degradation is crucial for the safe operation of small modular reactors. This affects SMRs with various designs and coolant environments, ranging from light-water systems to heavy-liquid-metal-cooled systems and the molten-salt concept.Small modular reactors Materials Research: Testing and IrradiationEU 2025
ENDURANCESupport the safe operation and the technological development of Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology in Europe.
