Course in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys
Online 300-hour course in radiation effects in metals and alloys. 6 modules covering ASTM E900 (embrittlement trend curve), ASTM E185 (reactor vessel surveillance programmes) and SRIM/TRIM. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys — studying from South Africa
South Africa is one of the few African countries with an operating nuclear power programme, centred on the Koeberg power station near Cape Town, operated by Eskom. The country also has nuclear research and fuel cycle activity through the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, known as Necsa, based at Pelindaba near Pretoria. Nuclear engineers work on reactor operation, safety, fuel management and decommissioning. The National Nuclear Regulator is the independent authority that licenses and oversees nuclear activities.
Fees for South Africa: R 14 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Nuclear activities in South Africa are regulated by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), and professional registration runs through ECSA. Acceptance of a private qualification in this regulated field rests with employers or the relevant authority, so verify before enrolling.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in nuclear engineering?
Nuclear employers, including Eskom and specialist contractors, typically require formally recognised qualifications, security clearances and regulatory competence. A private SEIUM qualification may add background knowledge but is unlikely to meet formal requirements on its own. Discuss this with employers in the nuclear sector to understand how they would view it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from South Africa without a student visa. Master's programmes require 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before enrolling.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the basic mechanisms of radiation damage.
Describe the microstructural evolution of irradiated metals.
Relate microstructure to hardening and embrittlement.
Analyse the behaviour of steels, stainless steels and zirconium alloys.
Interpret results from surveillance programmes.
Apply predictive models of embrittlement.
Prepare a report on the service life of an irradiated component.
Who it's for
- Nuclear materials engineer wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Vessel integrity specialist wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Researcher in irradiation damage wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Surveillance programme engineer wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Mechanical testing technician wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Life management engineer wishing to specialise in Radiation Effects in Metals and Alloys.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter nuclear power plants.
What you'll work with
- ASTM E900 (embrittlement trend curve)
- ASTM E185 (reactor vessel surveillance programmes)
- NRC RG 1.99 Rev. 2 (radiation embrittlement of the vessel)
- ASTM E693 (calculation of displacements per atom)
- ASTM E1921 (reference temperature of the master curve)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix H (vessel material surveillance)
- ASTM E23 (Charpy impact test)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Interaction of neutrons and ions with the crystal lattice1.2Threshold displacement energy1.3Displacement cascades and their evolution1.4Displacement-per-atom damage unit and its calculation1.5Point defects: vacancies and interstitials1.6Recombination and survival of defects1.7Transmutation and helium generation1.8Effect of irradiation temperature1.9Neutron spectrum and its influence1.10Exercise: calculate the accumulated damage of a component
2.1Clustering of defects and dislocation loops2.2Formation of voids and gas bubbles2.3Irradiation-induced precipitation2.4Dissolution of existing precipitates2.5Irradiation-induced segregation at grain boundaries2.6Phase changes under irradiation2.7Amorphisation of certain phases2.8Observation and quantification techniques2.9Microstructure maps versus dose and temperature2.10Practice: interpret micrographs of irradiated material
3.1Hardening and loss of ductility3.2Shift of the transition temperature3.3Embrittlement of vessel steels3.4Swelling due to voids3.5Irradiation-induced creep3.6Irradiation growth in anisotropic materials3.7Helium embrittlement at high temperature3.8Changes in thermal and electrical conductivity3.9Stress relaxation3.10Practice: estimate the shift of the transition temperature
4.1Ferritic and martensitic steels for vessels4.2Austenitic stainless steels for internals4.3Oxide dispersion strengthened steels4.4Nickel and zirconium alloys4.5Materials for fast reactors4.6Materials for fusion and energetic neutron damage4.7Graphite and ceramic materials4.8Selection criteria for irradiation resistance4.9Development of resistant materials4.10Practice: select a material for a component
5.1Surveillance specimen programmes5.2Specimen reconstitution and re-irradiation5.3Embrittlement prediction correlations5.4Recovery annealing5.5Ion irradiation as a surrogate and its limits5.6Atomistic and multiscale simulation5.7Databases and reference standards5.8Integrity assessment with degraded material5.9Ageing management and life extension5.10Practice: apply an embrittlement correlation
6.1Selection of the component and its irradiation environment6.2Calculation of flux, spectrum and accumulated damage6.3Identification of dominant mechanisms6.4Compilation of material data6.5Prediction of end-of-life degradation6.6Structural integrity assessment6.7Proposed surveillance programme6.8Material or mitigation alternatives6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows them to fit it around work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SRIM/TRIM, LAMMPS, Thermo-Calc, Python (NumPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real Charpy test procedures on surveillance specimens, transmission electron microscopy and ion irradiations. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the basic mechanisms of radiation damage.
Describe the microstructural evolution of irradiated metals.
Relate microstructure to hardening and embrittlement.
Analyse the behaviour of steels, stainless steels and zirconium alloys.
Interpret results from surveillance programmes.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, 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 SRIM/TRIM, LAMMPS, Thermo-Calc, Python (NumPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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