CERAMIC MATERIALS CONTAINING THE RARE EARTH ELEMENTS FOR REACTORS AND FOR RADIATION PROTECTION

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Ber. Deut. Keram. Ges. V

OSTI ID:4741281

Lehmann, H; Mueller, K H

The need to develop more economical high-temperature reactors with requirements of an ever-increasing standard presents a challenge to the ceramic technologist to produce materials that would be adequate for service in such reactors. viz., as fuel elements, canning materials, control rods, moderators, and radiation barriers. Owing to their high absorption cross section for thermal neutrons the rare earths (oxides of europium, samarium, and gadolinium) are very suitable for absorption rods and, since they also have a high molecular weight, for special reactor castings where, for reasons of size and weight, thinner walls are required, e.g.. for mobile installations. Because of the cost of these elements, experiments are first being carried out with the cheapest, lanthanum oxide. Another reason for this choice is the chemical affinity of the latter to gadolinium oxide which is intended to replace lanthanum at a later stage. Difficulties of storing the two basic materials La/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and BaO (because of its high density BaO is also suitable for protection from gamma radiation) arising as a result of their tendency to hydration can be overcome by adding acid materials. Research is also being carried out on ceramic materials containing monazite sand to develop screens against neutron and gamma radiation. So far few data have been obtained on the influence of neutron bombardment on ceramic materials. (auth)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-17-017434
• OSTI ID: 4741281
• Journal Information: Ber. Deut. Keram. Ges. V, Journal Name: Ber. Deut. Keram. Ges. V Vol. Vol: 38
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: German

Related Subjects

BARIUM OXIDES
CERAMICS
CONTROL ELEMENTS
CROSS SECTIONS
ECONOMICS
EUROPIUM OXIDES
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
GADOLINIUM OXIDES
GAMMA RADIATION
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LANTHANUM OXIDES
MONAZITES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RARE EARTHS
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
SAMARIUM OXIDES
SHIELDING
THERMAL NEUTRONS
VOLUME
WEIGHT