Radiolytic Oxidation: Mechanism & Effects on Nuclear Graphite

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Radiolytic oxidation significantly alters the physical and mechanical properties of nuclear graphite, particularly in gas or air-cooled reactors. In environments like light water graphite moderated reactors or high temperature helium cooled reactors, this phenomenon is not a concern. However, reactors such as the French Magnox reactor Bugey 1 have experienced substantial graphite weight loss, with reports of up to 35% at the end of life. The mechanism involves fast neutron impacts that temporarily vaporize carbon atoms, allowing surrounding oxygen molecules to bond with the graphite before it can return to its original lattice structure. Understanding this process is crucial for managing the integrity of nuclear graphite in affected reactors.
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Could someone explain the mechanism of radiolytic oxidation to me? There seems to be very little information available on the net. It is mentioned on http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/te_1521_web.pdf" :

Fast neutron irradiation and radiolytic oxidation radically change the physical and
mechanical properties of nuclear graphite. In reactors where the graphite operates in an inert
atmosphere, such as the light water graphite moderated reactors (LWGR), or the high
temperature helium cooled reactors (HTR), radiolytic oxidation is not an issue. However in
gas or air-cooled reactors extensive radiolytic oxidation can take place. For example, French
Magnox reactor Bugey 1 has parts of the core which had reached 35% weight loss at the end
of life [5] and similar graphite weight losses are now being encountered in some of the UK
Magnox and AGR reactors.
 
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When a fast neutron scatters of a carbon that carbon and the surrounding carbons are briefly vaporised, as can be seen in the simulation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_cascade" . So the mechanism of radiolytic oxidation is that during an impact any oxygen molecules around will bond with the graphite before it can settle back into its lattice?
 
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