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A study conducted by scientists from the University of Tokyo has revealed the ability of concrete to partially self-heal when exposed to neutron radiation, which could help extend the life of nuclear reactors.
Concrete is the main structural material of nuclear power plants, but the effects of prolonged radiation exposure, particularly neutron radiation, have not yet been sufficiently studied.
Experiments using X-ray diffraction have shown that under the influence of radiation, the crystal structure of quartz changes: it amorphizes (loses its ordered structure) and expands. However, the reverse process has also been discovered - when the radiation dose rate is reduced, some of the distorted crystals are restored.
The researchers also found that the reaction of quartz depends on the size of the mineral grains: large crystals showed less expansion, which could be a key factor in the design of new concrete mixtures for nuclear power plants. Further research will be aimed at analyzing the behavior of other minerals, as well as modeling the mechanisms of crack formation. The conclusions of the work, published in Journal of Nuclear Materials, can become the basis for updating the durability standards of structural materials in nuclear power.
