The AMES Network strategy developments in the 5th Euratom Framework Program

The AMES (Aging Materials Evaluation and Studies) Network started its activ ity in 1993 with the aim of studying the consequences and the mechanisms of the aging process in materials used for nuclear reactor components. Togeth er with ENIQ, NESC, and EPERC, it forms the so-called "Structural Integrity of Industrial Components" cluster of networks operated by the Joint Resear ch Centre-Institute for Advanced Materials of the European Commission. Initial activities of the network were the compilation of state-of the-art reports on nondestructive monitoring techniques for thermal aging, dosimetr y, survey of regulatory requirements, and predictive formulas for irradiati on embrittlement as a result of in-kind contributions and projects cofunded by the 4(th) Euratom Framework Program. A brief overview of the outcome of these projects is given. With the start of the 5(th) Euratom Framework Program, AMES has now entered its third strategy phase. Most of the projects approved by the Steering Co mmittee and proposed to the Nuclear Fission Safety Key Action of the progra m to cover aspects of irradiation embrittlement and nondestructive monitori ng were selected for funding, Their focus is on the influence of chemical composition, namely phosphorus and nickel content, on the irradiation embrittlement of reactor pressure ve ssel materials, on the improvement of surveillance temperature measurement. on the validation of the master curve approach, and on nondestructive tech niques to monitor aging of irradiated steels. The paper describes the objec tives of the new 5(th) Framework Program projects and their matching with t he AMES strategy, pointing out the involvement of CEEC and NIS countries.