Thermomechanical Process Optimization of U-10wt% Mo – Part 1: High-Temperature Compressive Properties and Microstructure

Journal Article · Thu Nov 14 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2013.10.065· OSTI ID:1229952

Joshi, Vineet V.; Nyberg, Eric A.; Lavender, Curt A.; Paxton, Dean M.; Garmestani, Hamid; Burkes, Douglas

Nuclear power research facilities require alternatives to existing highly enriched uranium alloy fuel. One option for a high density metal fuel is uranium alloyed with 10wt% molybdenum (U-10Mo). Fuel fabrication process development requires specific mechanical property data that, to-date, has been unavailable. In this work, as-cast samples were compression tested at three strain rates over a temperature range of 400 to 800° C to provide data for hot rolling and extrusion modeling. The results indicate that with increasing test temperature the U-10Mo flow stress decreases and becomes more sensitive to strain rate. In addition, above the eutectoid transformation temperature, the drop in material flow stress is prominent and shows a strain-softening behavior, especially at lower strain rates. Room temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of the as-cast and compression tested samples were conducted. The analysis revealed that the as-cast and the samples tested below the eutectoid transformation temperature were predominantly γ phase with varying concentration of molybdenum whereas the ones tested above the eutectoid transformation temperature underwent significant homogenization.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1229952
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-96854; NN9100000
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Vol. 465; ISSN 0022-3115
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

U-10wt%Mo
Mechanical Properties
Microstructure
Compression Testing