About Nuclear Materials Science (MST-16)

Multidisciplinary expertise

The group's multidisciplinary expertise comprises the core actinide materials science and metallurgical capability within the nuclear weapons production and surveillance communities. Destructive and nondestructive analysis of weapons material is performed by the six MST-16 materials science tea>/

The evaluations performed by MST-16 are essential for the Nuclear Weapons Program as well as nuclear materials storage, forensics, and actinide fundamental science.

Restarting the Isotope Fuels Impact Tester

The Isotope Fuels Impact Tester (IFIT) provides a method to impact ²³⁸plutonium heat sources and subassemblies of radioisotope heat generators to determine the impact response and the effect of different target materials. The 7-inch bore diameter launcher utilizes compressed gas in the breech to propel a projectile at velocities up to 150 m/s. In early 2009, DOE NE-34 requested several impact tests using the IFIT to qualify the impact properties of a new generation of radioisotope power systems for space missions.

The IFIT restart team has accomplished the daunting task of the restart of the IFIT to normal operating conditions after a period of approximately seven years of no activity. A determined effort by the IFIT restart team, supported by TA-55 facility personnel, resulted in a successful series of readiness assessments. Official authorization to resume IFIT operations with nuclear materials was received during the last week of March, followed by a successful impact test in April. To read complete story...