Regular Article

Magic-RR project overview: objectives, methodology and expected results

¹ NRG, The Netherlands
² CEA, France
³ HUN-REN-CER, Hungary
⁴ Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
⁵ TU Delft, The Netherlands
⁶ University of Rouen, France
⁷ University of Oxford, UK
⁸ UKAEA, UK
⁹ CNL, Canada
¹⁰ NECSA, South Africa

^* e-mail: kolluri@nrg.eu

Received: 24 December 2024
Received in final form: 16 May 2025
Accepted: 27 June 2025
Published online: 7 August 2025

Abstract

Most research reactors (RRs) in Europe are over 60 years old, and there are only limited efforts underway (e.g., PALLAS and JHR projects) to partially replace this aging infrastructure. Continued safe operation (CSO) of these reactors is crucial to sustaining the EU’s leadership in nuclear materials development and qualification for advanced reactor designs and to ensuring a steady supply of medical isotopes. Extending the licenses for these reactors to ensure CSO requires comprehensive aging management reviews (AMRs) and time-limited aging analyses (TLAAs) of key structures and components. However, current challenges include a limited understanding of irradiation-induced degradation and corrosion mechanisms, a shortage of data on RR structural materials under high-fluence conditions necessary for CSO, the lack of predictive, physics-based models for irradiation damage in aluminum alloys, and insufficient surveillance specimens for some reactors. Additionally, there are no dedicated design codes for reactor vessels and core structures made of aluminum, and there is no standardized approach in Europe for aging management of operating RRs.

To address these issues, a new project, Research on Materials Ageing and Structural Integrity of Research Reactors (Magic-RR), was launched on 1^st of November 2024, funded by the EURATOM research and training program 2023 with contributions from several international partners including RR operators, new RR developers and technical universities. Magic-RR will leverage (1) available archive materials and data from the existing RRs, e.g. from surveillance programs and shut down reactors, (2) operational experience of RR operators and (3) advanced characterization and modelling techniques at universities and nuclear research centers, to achieve the following objectives to support the CSO of European RRs:

– enhancing understanding of irradiation-induced damage in RR structural materials, particularly aluminum alloys, under high-fluence conditions.

– Develop advanced multi-scale modeling techniques to predict irradiation effects on mechanical properties.

– Investigating corrosion mechanisms and developing strategies for their prevention and mitigation.

– Assessing and validating sub-size testing methods for surveillance programs.

– Sharing operational knowledge on ageing management and structural integrity assessment of critical RR components and establishing guidelines for best practices.

This paper provides comprehensive description of the objectives, methodology, expected results and impact of the Magic-RR project.