Phoenix Designs and Manufactures Bespoke Low Temperature Test Machine for Nuclear Sector - Nuclear

The customer's specification was to build a test machine that has the ability to carry out and measure small punch testing and other samples, testing down to liquid nitrogen temperature, which is approximately -190ºC.

Temperature measurement and uniformity has been vital in the design and our technical team advised the customer against building one rig to do both extremes of hot and cold temperature, due to the design compromises in enabling a system to get very hot and very cold. 

We have included important flexible options to put liquid nitrogen directly on to the sample to get the lowest possible temperatures. 

Our team of expert engineers has considered closely the load strain and fixture materials to ensure the optimal choice that will operate at these temperatures. The small punch dies need a harness of HRC>55, and this requires specific materials.

The Phoenix team has allowed future flexibility for DIC capability by preventing frosting to enable the DIC to work. We have used special harsh environment extensometers, and their location in the chamber is critical. 

We have ensured that the system is compatible with PD (Potential Drop) crack growth equipment. An important challenge for our engineering team has been to design and build a chamber that is small enough to enable optimum temperature and environmental control, as well as allow the insulation and fit into the frame, but also large enough to accommodate the sample and instrumentation. This also had to be coupled with the ability to swap samples and fixtures with ease. 

In the next generation of nuclear reactors, some of the materials must be supercooled and this is designed to test these materials. 

Sam Shevyn, Operations Manager at Phoenix says: "We are very proud to be working with the nuclear energy sector on this considerable technical engineering challenge to enable new R&D testing for the next generation of nuclear reactors. Our team is continually working on ground breaking solutions for our customers, and support the advancement of R&D capabilities across many corporate sectors and with academic organisations".