FABRICATION DEVELOPMENT OF UO$sub 2$-STAINLESS STEEL COMPOSITE FUEL PLATES FOR CORE B OF THE ENRICO FERMI FAST BREEDER REACTOR

Technical Report · Tue Apr 18 00:00:00 EST 1961

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4036807· OSTI ID:4036807

Cherubini, J. H.; Beaver, R. J.; Leitten, Jr., C. F.

The development of an inexpensive composite fuel plate with a high burnup potential for application in a 500 deg C sodium environment as Core B of the Enrico Fermi Fast Breeder Reactor is described. The dispersion fuel product consists of 35 wt.% spheroidal UO/sub 2/ dispersed in type 347B stainless steel powder and clad with wrought type 347 stainless steel. Nominal over-all dimensions of Type II design fuel plates are 18.97 in. long x 2.406 in. wide x 0.112 in. thick with 0.005-in. cladding. Reliable processing methods for achieving a uniform distribution of spheroidal UO/sub 2/ in the matrix powder and cladding the sintered powder compact by roll bonding are described. Examination of experimental plates reveals that the degree of UO/sub 2/ fragmentation and stringering encountered during processing is primarily a function of the degree of cold work employed in the finishing operation snd the starting quality of the UO/sub 2/ powder. Cladding studies indicate that a sound metallurgical bond can be achieved with an 87.5% reduction in thickness at 1200 deg C and that close processing control is required to meet the stringent tolerances specified. The developed process meets all criteria except possibly the surface finish requirement; occasionally, pitting occurs due to scale embedded during hot working. Detailed procedures covering composite plate manufacture are presented. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• NSA Number: NSA-15-017278
• OSTI ID: 4036807
• Report Number(s): ORNL-3077
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
BONDING
BREEDING
BURNUP
CANNING
CERMETS
COLD WORKING
DEFECTS
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
EFFBR
FABRICATION
FAST NEUTRONS
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
HOT WORKING
LIQUID METAL COOLANT
PARTICLES
PLATES
POWDERS
REACTORS
ROLLING
SINTERED MATERIALS
SODIUM
STAINLESS STEELS
SURFACES
URANIUM DIOXIDE