Collection of ENEA technology and expertise
S.T.O.R.A.I. (Solutions for Thermomechanical test Optimization and Research on Alloys Innovation) laboratory for the mechanical characterization and qualification of materials and components
Application sectors
Problem to solve
The laboratory's skills meet the needs of mechanical characterization of materials in the innovative nuclear sector (Gen IV) and nuclear fusion, with the possibility of performing tests on a wide range of steels and metal alloys (austenitic, ferritic-martensitic steels, copper alloys, aluminum alloys, etc.) either bare or with coatings; in a wide range of temperatures (up to 1000 °C); and in different environments (air or heavy liquid metals such as lead and Pb-Bi eutectic). The laboratory can also meet the need to perform compressive tests on medium scale components or prototypes (with dimensions of approximately 0.5 m in cross section and 1.5 m in height) subjected to static or pulsed loads of significant magnitude (up to approximately 800 t) in air or even in cryogenic conditions (typically in LN2 at -196 °C). Possible users can be identified in research organizations active in the nuclear sector but also private or public clients operating in other industrial fields.
Description
The laboratory is equipped with the following machines to meet a wide range of needs and requirements of the users: • Two 100 kN universal hydraulic machines equipped for high temperature tests (max 1000°C) • 500 kN universal hydraulic machine • 8 MN hydraulic machine for compressive fatigue tests, designed and developed by ENEA • 50 kN electromechanical machine which, in addition to the 50 kN load cell, can also be equipped with 5 and 1 kN cells • 7 machines for instrumented creep tests (max temperature 1000 °C) • Charpy pendulum with 25 and 50 J hammers for impact tests on micro samples (micro-charpy KLST)
Innovative aspects and advantages
- 100 kN hydraulic machines: integrated control of test parameters by RT3 control unit that allows flexibility in combining test conditions
- 60 Joule pendulum for impact tests combined with cryogenic device operating with liquid nitrogen for temperature management up to -196°C
- 8 MN machine for compressive fatigue tests: possibility of performing tests at loads much higher than those adopted in standard test conditions and on much larger components even in liquid nitrogen
Admissible applications
- Mechanical characterization of materials, with special focus on structural components for nuclear fission and fusion reactors
- Mechanical tests in support of the updating of international design codes and standards, especially those related to nuclear plants (e.g., RCC MRx and ASME)
- Qualification of components and prototypes subjected to high compressive loads (up to 8 MN) also with cyclic nature and in a cryogenic environment (liquid nitrogen)
Research group involved
Revision date
04-06-2025
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