Post-irradiation examination of low burnup U3Si5 and UN-U3Si5 composite fuels

Hanson, William A.; Cappia, Fabiola; White, Joshua T.; McClellan, Kenneth J.; Harp, Jason M.

doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2023.154346

Post-irradiation examination of low burnup U₃Si₅ and UN-U₃Si₅ composite fuels

Journal Article · Fri Feb 17 23:00:00 EST 2023 · Journal of Nuclear Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2023.154346· OSTI ID:1968668

^[1]; ^[1]; ^[2]; McClellan, Kenneth J. ^[2]; ^[1]

Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Here this work presents post-irradiation examination data on UN-U₃Si₅ and U₃Si₅ fuels at low burnup (i.e., <10–15 GWd/tHM) with Kanthal AF® cladding. The results suggest good irradiation performance for both the silicide and nitride-silicide composite pellets. Optical microscopy revealed that the pellet-cladding gap is still open, and limited axial cracking was observed only in UN-U₃Si₅ pellets. Microcracking was isolated to the U₃Si₅ phase in all cases and was observed in pre-irradiation and depleted pellets, indicating that it was not irradiation induced. The fission gas release was minimal for the calculated fission density achieved (2.6 – 3.15 × 10²⁰ fiss/cm³). No fission gas bubbles were observed in the optical metallography. These results suggest acceptable swelling and fission gas behavior for both the single phase and composite compositions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725; AC07-05ID14517; 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1968668

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1985042

Journal Information:: Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Journal Issue: N/A Vol. 578; ISSN 0022-3115

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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