Method of Making Uranium Dioxide Bodies

Patent · 25 September 1973

OSTI ID:4438841

Wilhelm, H. A.; McClusky, J. K.

Sintered uranium dioxide bodies having controlled density are produced from U.sub.3 O.sub.8 and carbon by varying the mole ratio of carbon to U.sub.3 O.sub.8 in the mixture, which is compressed and sintered in a neutral or slightly oxidizing atmosphere to form dense slightly hyperstoichiometric uranium dioxide bodies. If the bodies are to be used as nuclear reactor fuel, they are subsequently heated in a hydrogen atmosphere to achieve stoichiometry. This method can also be used to produce fuel elements of uranium dioxide -- plutonium dioxide having controlled density.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-28-030480
• Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
• Patent Number(s): 3,761,546
• OSTI ID: 4438841
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*FUEL ELEMENTS-- DENSITY
*URANIUM DIOXIDE-- CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CONTROL
CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES
HYDROGEN
N50120* --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Ceramics & Cermets--Preparation & Fabrication
N79300 --Reactors--Reactor Fuels
OXIDATION
PATENTS
PLUTONIUM OXIDES
SINTERED MATERIALS
STOICHIOMETRY
URANIUM OXIDES U3O8
URANIUM OXIDES U3O8 STOICHIOMETRY