Characteristics of uranium carbonitride microparticles synthesized using different reaction conditions

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2014.08.038· OSTI ID:1158745

Silva, Chinthaka M ^[1]; Lindemer, Terrence ^[2]; Voit, Stewart L ^[1]; Hunt, Rodney Dale ^[1]; Besmann, Theodore M ^[1]; Terrani, Kurt A ^[1]; Snead, Lance Lewis ^[1]

---

1. ORNL
2. Harbach Engineering and Solutions

Three sets of different experimental conditions by changing the cover gases during the sample preparation were tested to synthesize uranium carbonitride (UC1-xNx) microparticles. In the first two sets of experiments using (N2 to N2-4%H2 to Ar) and (Ar to N2 to Ar) environments, single phase UC1-xNx was synthesized. When reducing environments (Ar-4%H2 to N2-4%H2 to Ar-4%H2) were utilized, theoretical densities up to 97% of single phase UC1-xNx kernels were obtained. Physical and chemical characteristics such as density, phase purity, and chemical compositions of the synthesized UC1-xNx materials for the diferent experimental conditions used are provided. In-depth analysis of the microstrutures of UC1-xNx has been carried out and is discussed with the objective of large batch fabrication of high density UC1-xNx kernels.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1158745
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 454, Issue 1-3; ISSN 0022-3115
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

uranium nitride kernels
carbothermic reduction