FEASIBILITY STUDY--USE OF SMALL-DIAMETER WIRES IN UO$sub 2$ PELLETS FOR IN- PILE TEMPERATURE MONITORING
The feasibility of using small-diameter wires strategically placed at various radial locations in UO/sub 2/ pellets for measurement of temperatures in in-pile experiments was studied. Evidence of melting of the wires as revealed by post-irradiation metallographic inspection was selected as the specific method of temperature determination. To select wires best suited for this application, the compatibility of gold, copper, nickel, iron, platinum, vanadium, and niobium with UO/sub 2/ was studied. On the basis of shortterm compatibility tests, gold, copper, and iron were found to be compatible with UO/sub 2/ to temperatures slightly above their respective melting points. Nickel, platinum, and vanadium reacted with UO/sub 2/ below their melting points. Niobium did not react with UO/ sub 2/ at temperatures to 1800 deg C although the compatibility of this material with UO/sub 2/ at higher temperatures was not established because of equipment limitations. Since metals appeared to be generally reactive with UO/sub 2/ at very high temperatures, the use of small-diameter wires for temperature monitoring did not appear to be a promising experimental technique. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-022525
- OSTI ID:
- 4156100
- Report Number(s):
- CF-59-10-7
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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