Investigation of control and fuel materials in research and power reactors

Nuclear fuel materials and control rods are the basic elements of reactor and they are located in the core region of the reactor. It is not only enough to know the physical and mechanical properties of materials that are used in the reactor but also must be known all steps and usages up to the end-use stage of reactor materials. Gaseous diffusion, centrifuge and laser method are widely used in the nuclear fuel enrichment processes. The majority of the enrichment process is carried out by centrifugation method. The laser method is still in the research and development phase. There are two kinds of fuel cycle operations such as open and closed-loop. In the open loop used fuel element is considered as waste and are sent to the geological storage center. In closed fuel cycle, used fuel components are recycled and used again. Closed loop is more expensive than open loop. Closed loop are used in FBR and other breeder reactors. Keywords: Nuclear Fuel Material, Control Rods, Nuclear Fuel Enrichment, Fuel Cycle.