The challenge

NTS was developing a design for a reusable Type B radioactive materials transport container to be used to transport low-heat-generating radioactive wastes.

In support of the design, NTS carried out a materials gap analysis to identify the current availability of material property data for Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The outcome from the materials gap analysis identified a requirement for specific materials data used in the construction of the transport container.

NTS required a customised, complex, and robust mechanical testing programme to be delivered to fill the gaps in the material’s property data. Specifically, the materials gap analysis identified a requirement for mechanical properties for several steels at various temperatures.

What we delivered

Lucideon delivered a testing programme on the various steel types, providing robust mechanical property data through the delivery of tensile testing at temperatures ranging from -40°C to +600°C. All specimens were manufactured at Lucideon and the data provided included: Ultimate Tensile Strength, Breaking Strength, Maximum Elongation, Reduction in area, and a stress-strain curve reduced to a maximum of 20 pairs of stress-strain data points (for input into FEA).

Value to the client

All required data was produced and delivered to NTS on time, to specification and within budget. This allowed NTS to mature their design and meet their obligations to the end client.