Grip Design to Accommodate Numerous Specimens for Versatile Mechanical Testing Device for In-reactor Testing.

Back to all technologies
Download as PDF
2023-OKUN-69969
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a versatile mechanical testing device for in-reactor (nuclear reactor) testing. This rig can test a variety of creep and tensile specimen geometries and is designed to operate in the harsh environment of in-situ reactor testing. The device has a modular design, which allows it to hold and test a variety of specimen geometries. The mechanical properties of creep and tension are crucial for validating material performance in a reactor. Additionally, this design can also be used outside of a reactor. The compact grip design is suitable for testing sub-sized specimens in small apparatuses, such as in-situ creep capsules. It eliminates high stresses in unwanted areas (which is a problem with traditional grip designs) and allocates the stresses in the gauge length of the specimen (a new feature of this grip design).

Advantages
- Directs stresses along gauge length.
- Capable of in-reactor testing for a variety of sub-sized specimen geometries
- Compact enough to fit in small test apparatuses.

Applications
- Sub-size tensile/creep testing
- In-reactor testing
- Power plants
- Engine control systems
- Spacecrafts (re-entry)

Technology Validation:
This technology has been validated through fabrication and testing of a prototype.

Related Publications:
Owen, D. J. (2022). The design, development, and testing of an advanced nuclear reactor in-situ creep capsule that accommodates multiple specimen geometries. Purdue University Graduate School. https://doi.org/10.25394/PGS.21330561.v1
Sep 12, 2023
Utility-Gov. Funding
United States
(None)
(None)

Sep 12, 2022
Provisional-Gov. Funding
United States
(None)
(None)
Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization
The Convergence Center
101 Foundry Drive, Suite 2500
West Lafayette, IN 47906

Phone: (765) 588-3475
Fax: (765) 463-3486
Email: otcip@prf.org