Calculation of the Influence of the Radial Temperature Gradient on Cladding Dilatation

Previous authors have proposed that temperature gradient effects could produce significant contributions to cladding dilatation in a fast reactor fuel pin during irradiation. An expression for their suggested mechanisms of thermomigration and diffusion has been derived in irradiation-induced concentration gradients. Evaluation shows that the cladding dilatation is negligible, but less direct effects of the temperature gradient could be important.