Why is Advanced Reactor Materials Testing Important in the Nuclear Sector?
The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (FoC) provides advanced reactor materials testing that meet the highest standards of nuclear quality assurance.
Advanced materials testing is essential for nuclear safety, ASME NQA-1 compliance, and gathering data on how materials behave under real-world reactor conditions. Due to the extreme conditions faced in modern reactors (high temperatures, increased radiation, and new coolants), materials must undergo thorough qualification. This process identifies potential failures, validates designs and their limits, and ensures components withstand radiation, heat, and corrosion over time.
Evaluating Performance Under Extreme Conditions
Materials exposed to extreme conditions can exhibit reduced ductility, increased brittleness, fatigue, and changes in mechanical properties. Our advanced reactor materials testing services assess how materials respond to these conditions and how they behave in corrosive environments. We then apply established methods to measure strength, durability, thermal stability, and resistance to degradation mechanisms.
Our testing is performed in controlled laboratory environments using specialized systems. To help ensure consistent results, all testing follows applicable industry standards tailored to specific client needs.
Advanced Equipment Solutions and Testing Capabilities
Our experts assess lifecycle performance under various conditions relevant to advanced reactor materials. As an NQA-1 laboratory, we support diverse testing needs, such as:
- Mechanical testing (tensile, impact, fatigue, and fracture toughness)
- Hot Cell Testing
- Irradiation and Simulation
- Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE)
- High-Temperature Testing
- Surveillance Capsule Testing
- Thermal Behavior
- Corrosion Resistance
- Chemical and material composition analysis
- Corrosion and environmental testing in simulated reactor conditions
Our services encompass the design of new systems and the adaptation of existing ones to optimize functionality. Learn more about custom testing equipment.
Supporting Safe and Reliable Nuclear Applications
We help improve safety and compliance by providing verified data on material performance under real reactor conditions.
At ATS, we understand the complexity of complying with national organizations such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Our experts conduct a comprehensive QA program under a radioactive materials license from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), aligned with strict nuclear industry standards and ASME NQA-1 requirements to support safety-critical applications within the nuclear sector.
Excellence Across the Nuclear Sector
We support a wide range of industries and applications where materials must perform to high safety and compliance standards, including but not limited to:
- Advanced Reactor Development: Fuel and cladding qualification, DOE program support, SMR and microreactor commercialization.
- Existing Fleet (LWRs): Surveillance programs, life extension, failure analysis.
- Fuel and Materials R&D: Accident-tolerant fuels, high-temperature alloys, coatings, and composites.
- Component Manufacturing: Pressure vessel and piping validation, welding integrity testing.
- Regulatory Support: Licensing data, independent verification and validation.
- Research and National Labs: Irradiation campaigns, instrumentation testing, benchmark experiments.
- Emerging Sectors (Fusion): Plasma-facing materials, extreme heat and radiation testing.
Contact Us
Our process is rooted in partnership. If you’re interested in learning more about our advanced reactor materials testing, our testing equipment, and how we can help support your specific project needs, contact ATS today. Ready to get started? Submit a request via our web form or call us at +1 (888) 287-5227.
