PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF UO$sub 2$ CERMET FUELS

Technical Report · Mon Dec 19 04:00:00 EST 1960

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4102222· OSTI ID:4102222

Paprocki, S J; Keller, D L; Cunningham, G W; Kizer, D E

Sintering, hot-press forging, and gas-pressure bonding were evaluated as techniques for preparing cermet fuel materials containing at least 60 vol.% UO/ sub 2/ and having a minimum density of 90% of theoretical. Minus 325-mesh chromium, molybdenum, niobium, and Type 302B stainless steel were employed as matrix materials. Hydrothermal and spherical UO/sub 2/ powders were evaluated. Cermets containing 80 vol.% UO/sub 2/ and exhibiting densities in excess of 90% of theoretical were successfully prepared by both hot-press forging and by gas- pressure bonding mixed oxide and metal pcwders. Gas-pressure bonding produced specimens with a more uniform structure and was demonstrated to be capable of simultaneously densifying and cladding green-pressed cermet fuels. Spherical UO/ sub 2/ powders produced the more homogeneous microstructures. Excellent microstructures were also obtained by the use of UO/sub 2/ pcwder coated wit;i niobium by vapor-deposition techniques. So far as direct comparison is possible the cermets were superior in strength to UO/sub 2/. Strength, which was measured by bend and compression tests, was density dependent. Thermal-conductivity values for the cermets were far higher than values for UO/sub 2/. Electrical- resistivity data were also obtained. These data were used to develop a mathematical correlation of electrical and thermal conductivity but a complete analysis could not be made on the basis of present theories due to the limited number of measurements made. (auth)

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-92
• NSA Number: NSA-15-007758
• OSTI ID: 4102222
• Report Number(s): BMI-1487
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BEARINGS
BONDING
CERMETS
CHROMIUM
COATING
CONFIGURATION
DENSITY
DISTRIBUTION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
FILMS
FORGING
FUEL ELEMENTS
GASES
HOT WORKING
HYDROLOGY
MATHEMATICS
MEASURED VALUES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
MIXING
MOLYBDENUM
NIOBIUM
OXIDES
POWDERS
PREPARATION
PRESSURE
SINTERING
STAINLESS STEELS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TESTING
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THICKNESS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
VAPORS
VOLUME