Processing and Characterization of U3Si2 at the MiniFuel Scale
This document details efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to process and characterize U3Si2 at miniature fuel (MiniFuel) scale geometries. Eight MiniFuel pellets were fabricated using standard powder metallography techniques. Final specimens had diameters of ~2.8 mm and thickness ranging from ~244-290 µm. Densities of MiniFuel samples determined via geometric methods showed values ranging from 92.9-96.6% of the theoretical U3Si2 density (12.2 g/cm3). Microstructural characterization via scanning electron and optical microscopy show relatively dense microstructures with grain sizes ~52±1 µm. Powder processing parameters were shown to influence the overall quality of the pellet and is discussed in this report.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001
- OSTI ID:
- 1532691
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-19-26376
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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