MSc Nuclear Science and Technology / Course details

This unit provides a comprehensive overview of the welding and cladding processes that are relevant to the fabrication of primary circuit components in a pressurised water reactor. An introduction to the physics of heat source-material interactions is provided for each process, together with an overview of the working principles and necessary equipment. The metallurgy of welding is also covered, and specific considerations for primary circuit materials are explored. Links between manufacturing choices and through-life structural performance are made through considering the factors that affect the development of the mechanical properties of welds, residual stresses and distortion, and common weld defects. Strategies for inspection and quality assurance are outlined and related to the requirements in relevant engineering codes and standards. Learning is reinforced through the consideration of case studies that have received considerable attention in the engineering literature. Finally, emerging trends in manufacturing practice are highlighted.

Develop an awareness of choices that are made by a welding coordinator in the manufacture of a pressurised water reactor and, based on an understanding of the physics and metallurgy of welding, link those choices to effects on the through-life performance of reactor components.

Describe the principles of operation for welding processes that are relevant to nuclear manufacturing, including the main characteristics and associated advantages and disadvantages for each process, and explain relevant methods of process control.

Apply principles of welding metallurgy and combine them with an understanding of welding process technology to qualitatively predict features of the resulting microstructures and the resulting variations in mechanical properties across welded joints.

Describe the concept of weldability and use it to specify the elements of a suitable heat treatment schedule for a welded joint.

Evaluate and compare welding procedures that involve different welding processes and weld pass sequences in regard to the development of residual stresses and distortion.

Select appropriate non-destructive evaluation techniques for welded and clad components based on an understanding of the defects that can form with different welding processes and weld configurations and justify the choices that are made.

Describe key requirements in engineering codes and standards that apply to the manufacture and inspection of pressure retaining components in nuclear plant and explain their significance for nuclear manufacturing.

Students are taught via directed reading (pre-course) and directly in appropriately equipped rooms at the institution delivering the module, or through distance (online) delivery. Learning is consolidated in tutorial and review sessions.

· Pre-course directed reading

· Direct Teaching

· Review sessions

· Tutorial sessions

Students are able to exercise their intellectual skills through in-class discussion, tutorial sessions, the completion of a coursework assignment, and in a final examination.

· In-class discussion

· Tutorial sessions

· Post-course assignment

· Final examination

Students are able to exercise their practical skills through tutorial sessions and completion of the coursework assignment.

· Tutorial sessions

· Post-course assignment

Students are able to enhance their transferable skills through in-class discussion, tutorial sessions, and the completion of the post-course assignment.

· In-class discussion

· Tutorial sessions

· Post-course assignment

Post course Assignment

Exam: through final mark within 3 weeks of the examination

Post-course Assignment: through written comments and final grade within 3 weeks of submission.

Sindo Kou, “Welding Metallurgy”, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2021. 

R. W. Messler Jr, “Principles of Welding: Processes, Physics, Chemistry, and Metallurgy”, John Wiley & Sons, 1999. 

John C. Lippold, Damian J. Kotecki, “Welding Metallurgy and Weldability of Stainless Steels”, Wiley-VCH, 2005.