Present applications of neutron radiography in France

Abstract The successful second launch of the European heavy launcher ARIANE 5 has completely erased the failure of the first one. After the third qualification test which is scheduled for next autumn, the future of industrial use of neutron radiography (NR) in France will be ensured for twenty years. More than 30 000 pyrotechnic devices have been submitted so far to NR testing on CEA nuclear reactors for civil space programmes. This field has always been the main area of NR application in France and is carried out in the ORPHEE reactor beam tube. Nuclear fuel examinations are also extremely useful for comprehensive behaviour studies during incidental events such as power ramp tests. The OSIRIS reactor underwater facility have a good work load in this field. Quantitative information can also be reached by analysing the radiographs. An example of processing is shown on mixed oxide fuel pin used in a Light Water Reactor.