To ensure safe operations, it is crucial that nuclear reactor components like reactor vessels, heat exchangers, pipes and fuel claddings are able to function reliably for very long time during operation of a nuclear reactor. Material testing is central to demonstrate safety and is by necessity generally based on accelerated tests with higher loads, temperatures or more aggressive environments than encountered during operation of the reactor, while at the same time using also small material samples. The JRC’s environmental and mechanical materials assessment (EMMA) facilities in Petten, the Netherlands, support the development of European and International codes & standards for components and materials used in current and next-generation nuclear reactors. The EMMA facilities focus on material testing at high temperatures and in corrosive environments using test samples from the micro to the macro-scale. Most of the research is linked to international and European projects involving national research laboratories, academia as well as industry. The development of a European standard for the miniature test, “EN 10371 metallic materials — small punch test method”, led by EMMA scientists, is an example of a recent achievement. The open access to the EMMA facilities started in 2020.
EMMA Research Infrastructures
The AMALIA laboratory carries out research in the area of ageing of materials under the effect of environmentally assisted cracking in water environment.
The Structural Materials Performance Assessment laboratories of the JRC Petten provides mechanical performance characterisation, life assessment and qualification of structural materials for present and next generation nuclear systems.
The Micro-Characterization Laboratory contributes to the development of materials performance assessment methodologies based on micrometer-sized specimens.
LILLA allows performing mechanical tests in liquid lead with controlled dissolved oxygen concentrations up to 650°C.
Accessing JRC Research Infrastructures through other programmes
JRC research infrastructures collaborate with several research organisations in Europe, by participating in European projects funded by the European Commission’s Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation, or in association to the European Strategy for Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) roadmaps or with European Research Infrastructures Consortia (ERIC), with the aim of networking and providing cross-border transnational access to European research infrastructures.
OFFERR
The European User Facility Network is a project supporting the SNETP Association in setting up a system for R&D experts to facilitate access to key nuclear research infrastructures all over Europe. Its primary function is to serve as a conduit for financial support from the Euratom programme. This support is allocated by paying and granting access to user institutions that offer services to selected projects through OFFERR calls. Additionally, the project offers assistance to successful research teams who have applied through the calls and will engage in collaboration with the research institution.