1. Nuclear environment

1.1 Nuclear reactions and radiation sources

The nuclear environment is characterized by the various radiation fluxes to which the components of the installations under consideration are subjected, the effects of which must be taken into account, in addition to conventional industrial stresses (thermomechanical, environmental, etc.). Depending on the installation, the flows to be considered are photon flows, emitted during γ decay, with high penetration powers and present in all nuclear installations, electrons coming either from β decay ^– , or from ionizations induced by γ, and neutrons, emitted during fission, thus at the core of reactors. Other types of radiation, such as α or energetic heavy ions, may also be present.

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