This study investigates the effects of radiation on graphite reflectors used in the Tehran Research Reactor, highlighting the importance of understanding radiation-induced degradation in nuclear reactor components. Using 2.5 MeV proton irradiation from a Tandem Van de Graaff (TVG) accelerator as a substitute for neutron damage, we calculated displacement per atom (dpa) values using the SRIM software. A combination of characterization techniques—including Vickers microhardness testing, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM/AFM—was employed to assess structural and mechanical changes caused by proton irradiation. Key findings include: (1) changes in crystallography, confirmed by XRD and Raman, indicating lattice expansion and increased defect density, (2) an increase in surface roughness measured by AFM, (3) reorganization of chemical bonds reflected in FTIR results with new C-O/C-H formations, and (4) a rise in microhardness correlated with the calculated dpa values. These insights contribute to our understanding of swelling and hardening behaviors in graphite, supporting better aging management strategies for graphite reflectors. Additionally, this methodology demonstrates the effectiveness of using proton irradiation along with multi-scale characterization to predict neutron damage in nuclear-grade graphites.
Amirkhani et al. (2026) studied this question.