SNAP-1A FUEL CORE MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY. Period covered<: July 1959 through June 1960
Several materials were evaluated for use as the fuel container material for the SNAP 125-w thermoelectric generator. The materials were subjected to air oxidation, mercury and sea water corrosion, liquid O/sub 2/ resistance, and fuel compatibility tests. Of the materials tested, Inconel X and Allegheny Ludlum S- 816 exhibited the better qualities. For fuel materials, CeO/sub 2/, Ce/sub 2/O/ sub 3/, CeF/sub 3/, and mi xtures of these materials were evaluated relative to fabrication, burnup and high-temperature properties. The fuel material selected consists of Ce/sup 144/O/sub 2/ (+ 10% by weight of SiC) or Ce/sup 144/F/sub 3/. At a heating rate of 180 Btu/ft/sup 2/-sec, a 1-in.-diam pellet of CeO/sub 2/ + 10% SiC would burn up in 30 sec; a similar pellet of CeF/sub 3/ would burn up in 65 sec. Plasma flame tests showed that the fuel container materials considered (Inconel X, Allegheny Ludlum S-816, and Type 316 stainless steel) would melt and ablate during reentry from orbit. At a heating rate of 100 Btu/ft/sup 2/-sec, material recession rates were determined to be 2, 2.5, and 5.5 mils/sec for Inconel-X, Allegheny Ludlum S-816, and Type 316 stainless steel, respectively. (C.J.G.)
- Research Organization:
- Martin Co. Nuclear Div., Baltimore
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(30-3)-217
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-021889
- OSTI ID:
- 4163161
- Report Number(s):
- MND-P-2349
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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