ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Dec 2025
Jul 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2026
Nuclear Technology
December 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
A. E. Pickett, W. L. Pearl, M. C. Rowland
Nuclear Technology | Volume 1 | Number 5 | October 1965 | Pages 453-461
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NT65-A20557
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Nonsensitized Type-304 stainless-steel fuel cladding cracked intergranularly when exposed to high-temperature, high-purity, water reactor environments. Similar failures were produced out of reactor in stressed tubular-capsule specimens exposed to dilute solutions of iron chloride, copper chloride, sodium hydroxide, and chromic acid at 650° F (343°C). An iron chloride test was developed that closely simulates the intergranular attack on stressed nonsensitized Type-304 stainless-steel fuel cladding. Stressed, cold-worked, nonsensitized Type-304 stainless-steel tubing cracked in less than 24 h at 650° F when exposed to ferric-ferrous chloride solutions containing only 40 Cl parts/106 and 4 soluble-iron parts/106. Exposure at 650° F caused intergranular cracking only, while exposure at 550° F (288° C) caused mixed transgranular and intergranular cracking. The accelerated autoclave test can be used for screening of prospective cladding materials and alloy modifications and developing a better understanding of the mechanism of attack.