Developing an interface strength technique using the laser shock method

Characterizing the behavior of nuclear reactor plate fuels is vital to the progression of advanced fuel systems. The states of pre- and post-irradiation plates need to be determined effectively and efficiently prior to and following irradiation. Due to the hostile post-irradiation environment, characterization must be completed remotely. Laser-based characterization techniques enable the ability to make robust measurements inside a hot-cell environment. The Laser Shock (LS) technique generates high energy shockwaves that propagate through the plate and mechanically characterizes cladding-cladding interfaces.