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

PROPERTIES OF PuO$sub 2$ AND PuO$sub 2$-ThO$sub 2$ CERAMICS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4782870
Procedures for the preparation of sintered bodies of PuO/sub 2/ and solid solutions of PuO/sub 2/ with ThO/sub 2/ were developed. The PuO/sub 2/- ThO/sub 2/ ceramics contained from 30 to 70 wt% PuO/sub 2/. Volatility determinations of PuO/sub 2/ were performed in air, argon, and oxygen using a transpiration vapor pressure technique. PuO/sub 2/-- ThO/sub 2/ solid solutions were formed by sintering for 3 1/2 hr at 1650 or 1725 deg C in argon. Sintering in hydrogen under the same conditions resulted in reduction of sorne PuO/sub 2/ to Pu/sub 2/O/sub 2/. PuO/sub 2/ is considered stable u nder oxidizing and neutral conditions. All indications are that PuO/sub 2/ vaporizes congruently and has a vapor pressure in air of approximately 10/sup -7/ atm at 2000 deg K (1730 deg C). The addition of ThO/sub 2/ is expected to increase the melting point of the mixture over that of pure PuO/sub 2/. (auth)
Research Organization:
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-92
NSA Number:
NSA-16-030780
OSTI ID:
4782870
Report Number(s):
BMI-X-170(Del.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English