As-cast microstructures in U-Pu-Zr alloy fuel pins with 5-8 wt.% minor actinides and 0- 1.5 wt% rare-earth elements
Journal Article
·
· Materials Characterization
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is investigating U-Pu-Zr alloys with low concentrations of minor actinides (Np, Am) and rare-earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd) as possible nuclear fuels to be used to transmute minor actinides. Alloys with compositions 60U-20Pu-3Am-2Np-15Zr, 42U-30Pu-5Am-3Np-20Zr, 59U-20Pu-3Am-2Np-1RE-15Zr, 58.5U-20Pu-3Am-2Np-1.5RE-15Zr, 41U-30Pu-5Am-3Np-1RE-20Zr, and 40.5U-30Pu-5Am-3Np-1.5RE-20Zr (where numbers represent weight percents of each element and RE is a rare-earth alloy consisting of 6% La, 16% Pr, 25% Ce, and 53% Nd by weight) were arc-melted and vacuum cast as fuel pins approximately 4 mm in diameter. The pins were sectioned, polished, and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Each alloy contains high-Zr inclusions surrounded by a high-actinide matrix. Alloys with lanthanides also contain high-RE inclusions. Within the matrix, concentrations of U and Zr vary inversely, while concentrations of Np and Pu appear approximately constant. Am occurs in the matrix and with some high-RE inclusions, and occasionally as high-Am inclusions in samples without REs.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE - NE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1000272
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-09-17159
- Journal Information:
- Materials Characterization, Journal Name: Materials Characterization Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 61; ISSN 1044-5803
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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