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Course in Thermomechanical Properties of Ceramic Fuels

Online course of 300 h in thermomechanical properties of ceramic fuels. 6 modules covering ASTM C776 (UO₂ sintered pellets), ASTM C833 ((U,Pu)O₂ sintered pellets) and ANSYS Mechanical. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the families of ceramic fuels: oxides, carbides and nitrides.

02

Compare the thermal properties of ceramic fuels and their dependence on temperature.

03

Analyse the mechanical behaviour and thermomechanical coupling of pellets.

04

Model the thermal and stress state of a pellet using finite elements.

05

Select experimental techniques to characterise thermomechanical properties.

06

Interpret experimental results against correlations from the literature.

07

Develop a thermomechanical characterisation project for a ceramic fuel.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Nuclear materials engineer looking to specialise in Thermomechanical properties of ceramic fuels.
  • Fuel design engineer looking to specialise in Thermomechanical properties of ceramic fuels.
  • Finite element modelling specialist looking to specialise in Thermomechanical properties of ceramic fuels.
  • Researcher in advanced ceramics looking to specialise in Thermomechanical properties of ceramic fuels.
  • Characterisation laboratory technician looking to specialise in Thermomechanical properties of ceramic fuels.
  • Fuel licensing engineer looking to specialise in Thermomechanical properties of ceramic fuels.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter nuclear fuel manufacturing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASTM C776 (UO₂ sintered pellets)
  • ASTM C833 ((U,Pu)O₂ sintered pellets)
  • ASTM E1461 (thermal diffusivity by flash method)
  • ASTM C1161 (flexural strength of advanced ceramics)
  • ASTM C1327 (Vickers hardness of advanced ceramics)
  • ASTM E1269 (specific heat by differential calorimetry)
  • NUREG-0800, section 4.2 (fuel system design)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Oxides: uranium dioxide and mixed oxides
  2. 1.2Uranium and plutonium carbides
  3. 1.3Nitrides and their interest for advanced reactors
  4. 1.4Silicides and high-density fuels
  5. 1.5Coated particles and fuel in graphite matrix
  6. 1.6Ceramic fuels in salts and in liquid metal
  7. 1.7Selection criteria according to reactor
  8. 1.8Fissile material density and its effect
  9. 1.9Compatibility with coolant and cladding
  10. 1.10Exercise: matching fuel and reactor type
  1. 2.1Thermal conductivity of each family
  2. 2.2Dependence on temperature, porosity and burn-up
  3. 2.3Specific heat and enthalpy
  4. 2.4Thermal expansion and its anisotropy
  5. 2.5Melting and decomposition points
  6. 2.6Thermal profile in the fuel element
  7. 2.7Melting margin and allowable linear power
  8. 2.8Transfer across the gap and conductance
  9. 2.9Effect of fill gases
  10. 2.10Practice: comparing thermal profiles of two fuels
  1. 3.1Elasticity, brittleness and toughness
  2. 3.2Thermal shock resistance
  3. 3.3Thermal creep and under irradiation
  4. 3.4Gradient cracking and its modelling
  5. 3.5Swelling and its effect on the cladding
  6. 3.6Mechanical interaction between fuel and cladding
  7. 3.7Cladding stresses and failure criteria
  8. 3.8Thermal, mechanical and chemical coupling
  9. 3.9Power transients and cycling
  10. 3.10Practice: calculating stresses in a transient
  1. 4.1Formulation of the thermomechanical problem
  2. 4.2Geometry, meshing and symmetries
  3. 4.3Constitutive models for ceramic materials
  4. 4.4Contact between pellet and cladding
  5. 4.5Creep and densification models
  6. 4.6Coupling with gas release
  7. 4.7Convergence and load steps
  8. 4.8Verification and validation of the model
  9. 4.9Fuel performance codes
  10. 4.10Practice: solving a case with finite elements
  1. 5.1Conductivity measurement by transient method
  2. 5.2Dilatometry and thermal analysis
  3. 5.3Mechanical tests on ceramics
  4. 5.4High-temperature creep tests
  5. 5.5Thermal shock tests
  6. 5.6Experimental irradiation and power ramps
  7. 5.7Post-irradiation examination and metrology
  8. 5.8Property databases
  9. 5.9Property uncertainty and its propagation
  10. 5.10Practice: fitting a correlation to data
  1. 6.1Choice of fuel and reactor
  2. 6.2Compilation of thermomechanical properties
  3. 6.3Thermal model of the element
  4. 6.4Mechanical model and interaction with the cladding
  5. 6.5Analysis in normal operation and in transient
  6. 6.6Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
  7. 6.7Proposed experimental programme
  8. 6.8Verification against design criteria
  9. 6.9Technical report
  10. 6.10Project defence
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Mechanical, COMSOL Multiphysics, Abaqus, Python (SciPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. The tests are studied through real measurement procedures for thermal diffusivity by laser flash, flexural tests on ceramics and finite element thermomechanical modelling of pellets. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-focused Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with track records in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Choice of fuel and reactor

Describe the families of ceramic fuels: oxides, carbides and nitrides.

Compilation of thermomechanical properties

Compare the thermal properties of ceramic fuels and their dependence on temperature.

Thermal model of the element

Analyse the mechanical behaviour and thermomechanical coupling of pellets.

Mechanical model and interaction with the cladding

Model the thermal and stress state of a pellet using finite elements.

Analysis in normal operation and in transient

Select experimental techniques to characterise thermomechanical properties.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Nuclear materials engineerFuel design engineerFinite element modelling specialistResearcher in advanced ceramicsCharacterisation laboratory technicianFuel licensing engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 300 total hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

The course uses ANSYS Mechanical, COMSOL Multiphysics, Abaqus, Python (SciPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area can be credited towards the higher-level programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.

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