A critical weakness of predicting the behaviour of AGR core is the complete absence of graphite data at high dose and weight loss. To be able to extend the lifetime of the stations, materials property data at extended weight loss and dose is thus required.
The Materials Test Reactor (MTR) project was set up to basically take samples trepanned from the graphite from AGRs and subject them to accelerated degradation in a high-flux test reactor, enabling the future condition of the AGR graphite to be predicted with confidence, supporting graphite core safety cases and life extension decisions. Whilst the majority of MTR type experiments concentrate on irradiation only, this experiment has to both irradiate and oxidise the graphite in equal measure.
