Microautoradiographic characterization of ROVER bore coating interfaces

Technical Report · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1968

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4336359· OSTI ID:4336359

Bunnell, L R

Declassified 28 Aug 1973. In an effort to understand the anomalous nonadherence of the NbC bore coatings on fueled ROVER elements, a modified microautoradiographic method was used to reveal the U distribution at the coating/ graphite interface. The method was used on elements manufactured with a reduced U content at the interface. Correlation between alpha tracks and the surrounding microstructure was excellent. Observations are consistent with the concept that uranium is responsible for an accelerated attack on the graphite during coating, although this is not explicitly proven. The presence of U in amounts below the detection limit of the method used is associated with tightly adherent NbC coatings. (auth)

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-1830
• NSA Number: NSA-29-027389
• OSTI ID: 4336359
• Report Number(s): BNWL--737
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*FUEL ELEMENTS-- MATERIALS TESTING
*ROVER REACTORS-- FUEL ELEMENTS
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
COATINGS
GRAPHITE
INTERFACES
N50330* --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Plastics & Other Materials--Properties
Structure & Phase Studies
N77800 --Reactors--Space
Mobile
Propulsion
Transportation & Package Reactors
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NIOBIUM CARBIDES
OPENINGS
URANIUM