Microbeam Analysis of Irradiated Materials - Practical Aspects
Résumé
Among the microanalytical techniques, EPMA is one of the most powerful. Its performances can be used to provide an accurate characterisation. In the present paper the differences between the EPMA of highly irradiated materials and standard EPMA are highlighted. It focuses on the shielded EPMA specificities. Then, the paper presents the difficulties encountered during the sample preparation and the analysis (mainly due to the radioactive background). In spite of these difficulties, some valuable results can be provided by a shielded EPMA on the in-pile behaviour of nuclear irradiated fuel. Some specific examples showing results obtained currently by EPMA in nuclear fuel research are presented.