Radiation Resistance of Reactor Graphites Based on Inexpensive Raw Materials

Experimental data are presented on the effect of neutron irradiation on the properties of reactor graphites based on readily available, inexpensive pitch, schistose, and electrode cokes, instead of the petroleum coke KNPS used earlier. The irradiation-induced sized changes in these graphites are shown to be rather small, indicating that they can be used in the production of graphite bushings for nuclear reactors. The experimental data confirm earlier estimates of the irradiation-induced size changes in such graphites.