
The Irradiated Material Testing Laboratory (IMTL) was established to provide a facility to conduct experimental research on neutron irradiated materials in aqueous environments. The IMTL consists of five refreshed autoclaves (Inconel & 316 Stainless Steel construction) that can be mounted in constant extension rate (CERT) or crack growth rate (CGR) configurations. This unique, literally one of a kind research facility is currently the only one in the world capable of conducting experiments on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of neutron irradiated material in supercritical water.

Experiments
Experiments can be done in a wide range of environments, including supercritical water, simulated BWR and PWR water, and gas environments. The lab also contains three direct current potential drop (DCPD) systems for controlling the load on the specimens while conducting crack growth rate (CGR) experiments as well as a JOEL JSM-6480 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and EDAX EDS Element Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) with a silicon nitride (Si3N4) window for timely on site analysis of specimens.
The IMTL is uniquely situated next to a hot cell. This configuration allows us to disconnect the autoclave from its water loop, maneuver it into the hot cell, where the neutron irradiated specimens can be safely mounted in the autoclave. A shielding cover is installed and the assembly is maneuvered back to IMTL, connected to the system, and to conduct the experiment. If needed, we can also run experiments on high activity samples in one of the two cells as well as move the SEM in to the hot cell to conduct analysis.
ATR NSUF Partnership
The University of Michigan Irradiated Materials Testing Laboratory is now in a partnership roll with the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) National Scientific User Facility (NSUF) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The Irradiated Materials Testing Laboratory will participate as partner facility and will support testing of irradiated materials.
To read about the ATR, NSUF, and recent news follow the links bellow.
IMTL Experiment Capabilities
Systems
IM1: Multi-CERT & Single CGR Specimen Super Critical Water
- 4 Liter Inconel 625 Refreshed Multi-Head Autoclave
- Max Pressure: 30MPa @ 600°C (4350psi @ 1112°F)
- Multiple Specimen CERT Experiments
- Single Specimen CGR Experiments
- DCPD system for controlling CGR experiments
- Mixing Column for water chemistry control
IM2: Multi-CERT & Single CGR Specimen
- 4 Liter 316 Stainless Steel Refreshed Multi-Head Autoclave
- Max Pressure: 20MPa @ 365°C (3000psi @ 689°F)
- Multiple Specimen CERT Experiments
- Single Specimen CGR Experiments
- DCPD system for controlling CGR experiments
- Mixing Column for water chemistry control
- Mixing Column for water chemistry control
IM3: Multi-CERT & Single CGR Specimen
- 4 Liter 316 Stainless Steel Refreshed Multi-Head Autoclave
- Max Pressure: 20MPa @ 365°C (3000psi @ 689°F)
- Multiple Specimen CERT Experiments
- Single Specimen CGR Experiments
- DCPD system for controlling CGR experiments
- Mixing Column for water chemistry control
IM4: Multi-CERT & Single CGR Specimen
- 4 Liter 316 Stainless Steel Refreshed Multi-Head Autoclave
- Max Pressure: 20MPa @ 365°C (3000psi @ 689°F)
- Multiple Specimen CERT Experiments
- Single Specimen CGR Experiments
- DCPD system for controlling CGR experiments
- Mixing Column for water chemistry control
IM5: Single CGR Specimen
- 4 Liter 316 Stainless Steel Refreshed Multi-Head Autoclave
- Max Pressure: 20MPa @ 365°C (3000psi @ 689°F)
- Single Specimen CGR Experiments, up to 1T-CT specimen sizes
- DCPD system for controlling CGR experiments
- Mixing Column for water chemistry control
- Mobile enclosure, Experiments can be conducted in 1059 or in the Hot Cell Facility
MTS RT/50 Electromechanical Testing Apparatus
- 50kN Max
- 50kN Load Cell
- Test Works 4 Software
Environments
Supercritical Water
Experiments can be performed in two supercritical water autoclaves.
- Up to 600°C
- High-performance liquid chromatography pump provides flow rates up to 200 mL/min at up to 27.5MPa
- Water conductivity monitored at the inlet and outlet
- Dissolved Oxygen monitored at the inlet and outlet
- Water chemistry control via mixing column
Light Water Reactor Environments
Experiments can be performed in two CERT systems in simulated BWR or PWR environments.
- Water temperatures at 288-360°C
- Water conductivity
- Monitored at the inlet and outlet
- High purity water capability at inlet
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Monitored at the inlet and outlet
- Controlled inlet from 8 ppm down to 1 ppb
- Additions of boric acid and lithium hydroxide to simulate PWR environment