Capability Summary
The Irradiated Material Examination and Testing (IMET) Facility offers a comprehensive suite of post-irradiation examination (PIE) capabilities, including specialized physical and mechanical testing.
Built in 1950, this hot cell facility features a two-story high bay, six shielded cells, 60 storage wells and a specimen preparation laboratory. Work in the lab includes physical and mechanical property testing, examination of irradiated materials and preparation of irradiated samples. IMET is seamlessly integrated with ORNL’s High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) facility for advanced microstructural analysis, enabling detailed evaluation and preparation of irradiated materials. IMET provides unparalleled expertise and cutting-edge equipment for advancing nuclear materials research.
Equipment
Dual column test system with vacuum chamber and digital image correlation (DIC)
Electrodynamic test machine with inert gas furnace and digital image correlation (DIC)
MTS 100 kip servo-hydraulic frame
Charpy machine with -150°C to 480°C testing temperature capability
Vickers fully automated hardness tester
Contact
Dr. Xiang (Frank) Chen is a senior R&D staff member at ORNL, specializing in materials research for light water reactor sustainability. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, along with a B.E. in Nuclear Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Dr. Chen has received notable awards, including the DOE Secretary’s Honor Achievement Award and recognition for his contributions to fracture toughness analysis software. His research focuses on the mechanical behavior of structural materials in extreme environments, with more than 140 publications and two patents in advanced high-strength steels. For more information on collaborations, contact Dr. Chen at [email protected].