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

THE LIQUIDUS FOR THE SYSTEM UO$sub 2$-PuO$sub 2$

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4802605
Melting points of UO/sub 2/ and PuO/sub 2/ in helium were found to be 2730 plus or minus 30 deg C and 2280 plus or minus 30 deg C, respectively. PuO/sub 2/ does not reduce to a sub-oxide during melting in helium; however, it evolves oxygen which results in an expansion of the unit cell, yielding O/Pu atom ratios of 1.62. Since oxygen is lost at melting temperatures, the equilibrium melting point for PuO/sub 2.00/ will have to be determined under a partial pressure of oxygen; the 2280 deg C temperature reported is considered a pseudo melting point. The liquidus for the system U0/sub 2/-PuO/sub 2/ exhibits a melting maximum of 2825 deg C at U0/sub 2/-10 wt% PuO/sub 2/. Above this composition, the liquidus exhibits good continuity and reduces gradually with increased PuO/sub 2/ content. Lattice constants of melted but are slightly greater than anticipated. This is attributed to a loss of oxygen. (auth)
Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-1350
NSA Number:
NSA-16-013576
OSTI ID:
4802605
Report Number(s):
HW-69832
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English