---
title: "Control Rod"
industry: "Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing"
verification_protocol:
  urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:CONTROL_ROD"
  data_integrity_hash: "ee4dad6402700bd739892520c922a62e"
  source_authority: "https://cnfx.com"
  strict_mode: true
source_identity:
  provider: "CNFX Industrial Knowledge Graph"
  index_version: "2026.Q1-Universal"
  authority_id: "URN:CNFX:ME:CONTROL_ROD"
  data_source_uri: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/control-rod.md"
  official_resource_url: "https://cnfx.com/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/control-rod"
  is_verified_logic: true
attributes:
  spec:
    status: "config-dependent"
    typical_range: "0-100% insertion depth, 0.1-5.0 m/s insertion/withdrawal speed, 20-400°C temperature range"
    unit: "mm"
engineering_limits:
  max_safe_operating_point:
    value: 10
    unit: "burnup"
    consequence: "Neutron-induced transmutation of boron-10 to lithium-7 (burnup), hydrogen embrittlement of zirconium alloy at elevated temperatures (Zircaloy-4 degradation), yield strength exceedance of 304 stainless steel drive mechanisms (plastic deformation)"
fmea_matrix_quantitative:
  - node_1:
      trigger: "Control rod drive mechanism hydraulic pressure loss below 10 MPa"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Redundant electromagnetic latch backup system with 50 kN holding force"
  - node_2:
      trigger: "Neutron flux-induced swelling exceeding 2% volumetric expansion in boron carbide pellets"
      severity: 8
      occurrence: 3
      detection: 4
      mitigation_protocol: "Annular gas gap design with 0.5 mm clearance and helium backfill at 0.3 MPa"
bom_nodes:
  absorber-section:
    type: "part"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:ABSORBER_SECTION"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  cladding:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:CLADDING"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
  end-fittingsconnectors:
    type: "component"
    urn: "URN:CNFX:ME:END_FITTINGSCONNECTORS"
    interface_type: "physical-logic-coupled"
manufacturing_compliance:
  - standard: "ISO 9001:2015 - QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS"
    scope: "Verified Engineering Specification"
url: "https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/control-rod.md"
on_chain_sovereignty:
  contract_standard: "ERC-721-Industrial"
  metadata_hash: "7142c3d34969a16e2d380658b8eff44a1dcd846209eddafa7aad6c31519016da"
  royalty_logic: "IPFS-CID-REQUIRED"
  mint_status: "logic-verified-ready"
version: "3.3.4-EXTREME-SOVEREIGN-WEB3"
---

# Industrial Specification: Control Rod

## 1. Technical Definition
A neutron-absorbing rod used to regulate the nuclear fission reaction rate in a nuclear reactor.

## 2. Engineering Reasoning & Causal Matrix
> **Operational Intelligence**: Designed for **0-100% insertion depth, 0.1-5.0 m/s insertion/withdrawal speed, 20-400°C temperature range**. Failure boundary: **Boron-10 burnup exceeding 60% (neutron absorption capacity loss), cladding temperature exceeding 600°C (Zircaloy-4 embrittlement), insertion force exceeding 50 kN (mechanical deformation)**, Mechanism: **Neutron-induced transmutation of boron-10 to lithium-7 (burnup), hydrogen embrittlement of zirconium alloy at elevated temperatures (Zircaloy-4 degradation), yield strength exceedance of 304 stainless steel drive mechanisms (plastic deformation)**.

### 2.1 Analytical Physics Model
Governed by the **Thin-Wall Pressure Vessel Stress Analysis**:

> **Primary Equation**: $\sigma_h = \frac{P \cdot D}{2t}$  
> **Engineering Impact**: Determines the hoop stress boundary to prevent rupture.

| Symbol | Variable Definition | Localized Reference |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| P | Internal Pressure | Engineering Constant |
| D | Diameter | Engineering Constant |
| t | Wall Thickness | Engineering Constant |

### 2.2 FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis)
| Event Trigger | Severity | Failure Mode | Mitigation Strategy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Control rod drive mechanism hydraulic pressure loss below 10 MPa | 8 | Incomplete rod insertion (scram failure) | Redundant electromagnetic latch backup system with 50 kN holding force |
| Neutron flux-induced swelling exceeding 2% volumetric expansion in boron carbide pellets | 8 | Rod jamming in guide tubes | Annular gas gap design with 0.5 mm clearance and helium backfill at 0.3 MPa |

## 3. Key Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Status |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| spec | Config-dependent | mm | Verified |

## 4. System BOM & Knowledge Routing
### Core Components (Recursive Links)
- [Absorber Section](https://cnfx.com/llms/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/absorber-section.md) `(Standalone System)`

### Industrial DNA Context (De-duplicated)
**Complementary Dependencies**: **Control Rod Drive Mechanism**, **Reactor Coolant System**, **Neutron Monitoring System**  
**Downstream Applications**: Nuclear Power Generation, Medical Isotope Production, Research Reactor Operation  

## 5. Engineering Risks & FAQ
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 
- **Caution**: 

### Q: What materials are used in control rod manufacturing?
**A**: Control rods are primarily made from neutron-absorbing materials like boron carbide (B4C), silver-indium-cadmium alloy, or hafnium, with cladding for protection and end fittings for connection.

### Q: How do control rods regulate nuclear fission?
**A**: Control rods absorb neutrons in the reactor core, adjusting the neutron population to control the fission chain reaction rate, ensuring stable and safe reactor operation.

### Q: What are the key components in a control rod BOM?
**A**: The bill of materials includes the absorber section (neutron-absorbing material), cladding (protective outer layer), and end fittings/connectors for secure installation and operation.

## 6. Manufacturing Compliance
- ISO 9001:2015 - QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

---
### 🛠️ Engineering Resource Access
🔗 **[Full Specification: Control Rod](https://cnfx.com/industry/machinery-and-equipment-manufacturing/product/control-rod)**

### 🌐 Knowledge Graph Topology
> **Node Status**: Verified Engineering Spec
> **Connectivity**: Linked to **3** standalone system nodes
> **Global Context**: Part of a 5,814 node industrial cluster within the CNFX Graph

> **Reference ID**: CONTROL_ROD | **Authority**: CNFX-2026-ST-001 | **Fingerprint**: 611a5700
