Term: nuclear graphite
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04233

Definition:
A polygranular graphite material for use in nuclear reactor cores consisting of graphitic carbon of very high chemical purity. High purity is needed to avoid absorption of low-energy neutrons and the production of undesirable radioactive species.

Note: Apart from the absence of @N04116@-absorbing impurities, modern reactor graphites are also characterized by a high degree of @G02691@ and no preferred bulk orientation. Such properties increase the dimensional stability of the nuclear @G02684@ at high temperatures and in a high flux of neutrons. The term nuclear @G02684@ is often, but incorrectly, used for any @G02687@ in a @N04239@, even if it serves only for structural purposes.

Related Terms:
1) neutron (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04116).
2) graphite (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02684).
3) nuclear reactor (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04239).
4) radioactive (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05077).
5) graphitization (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02691).
6) graphite material (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02687).
7) polygranular graphite (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04731).
8) graphitic carbon (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02689).

Source: PAC, 1995, 67, 473. 'Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 498 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567030473)

Citation: 'nuclear graphite' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04233

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