IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON MASSIVE URANIUM MONO-CARBIDE
The results of examinations of UC compounds having nominal compositions of uranium-4.6, -4.8, and 5.0 wt. % carbon after irradiation to burnups of from 400 to 15,000 Mwd/t of uranium are given. Density changes were small. varying from a minimum of 0.3% to a maximum of about 2.5%. Cracking occurred in all specimens; however. it can probably be largely attributed to thermal stresses and to oxidation. after decapsulation. of NaK entrapped in microcracks. Depletion of carbon appears to be occurring in the specimens having the nominal uranium-5 wt.% carbon composition. Metallographic examination shows that the UC/sub 2/ phase disappears at high temperature and high burnup. The fission-gas-retention properties of the compounds appear quite good. In all cases. the amount of fission gas released was comparable with the calculated amount released by recoil. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-92
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-022108
- OSTI ID:
- 4173525
- Report Number(s):
- BMI-1452
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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