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AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE BeO-UO$sub 2$-ThO$sub 2$ SYSTEM

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4003637
Various BeO --U0/sub 2/ --ThO/sub 2/ compositions were examined, after high temperature treatment, by x-ray and metallographic methods. No interaction product other than a UO/sub 2/-ThO/sub 2/ solid solution, which forms readily, was observed. However, these compositions are sensitive to carbon contamination, and a phase which is either UO or UO--UC appears after prolonged heating in the carbon-tube furnace. Melting-point studies confirmed that the BeO --U0/sub 2/ -- ThO/sub 2/ system can be considered as quasi-binary, with a eutectic at 60-80 mole% BeO at about 2100 deg C. The behavior of BeO-rich compositions on heating above 2100 deg C was studied petrographically. The densities attained on fabrication of compacts by cold-pressing and sintering and by hotpressing during the course of the work are presented. An assessment is made of the potentialities of neutron diffraction for the study of such systems. (auth)
Research Organization:
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Research Group. Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, England
NSA Number:
NSA-15-026533
OSTI ID:
4003637
Report Number(s):
AERE-M/R-2727
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English