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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Improvements in or relating to nuclear reactor fuel elements

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4336410
Reference is made to fuel elements composed of C coated fuel particles, bonded together with Si, and contained in a SiC can. It has been found that under irradiation migration of the Si bond material can occur. The fuel element described aims at reducing this migration by providing a gas filling in the can, to give an oxidizing atmosphere. A concentration of 10% by volume of CO/sub 2/ in He, at atmospheric pressure, provides a sufficient oxidation potential to cause the formation of SiO/sub 2/ as a thin stable protective coating over the bonding material. Free evaporation of the Si is effectively reduced to zero, and transport via SiO vapour is also prevented. (UK)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-29-023449
OSTI ID:
4336410
Report Number(s):
GB 1337789
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English