METALLOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF Al-Ni-U BONDS IN NUCLEAR FUEL ELEMENTS

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1961 · Am. Soc. Metals, Trans. Quart.

OSTI ID:4807902

Angerman, C L

Reactor fuel elements fabricated by bonding aluminum to nickel-plated uranium are investigated by optical and electron metallography and by x-ray diffraction in order to study their diffusion zones and the relationship between the microstructure of the bonds and their strength and corrosion resistance. The two aluminum-nickel zones in the bonded fuel elements are identified as Al/sub 3/ Ni and Al/sub 3/Ni/sub 2/, and the two nickel-uranium zones are identified as U/ sub 6/Ni and UNi/sub 5/. An oxide, believed to be either UO/sub 2/ or a U-Ni-O ternary compound, is observed either as a dispersed phase within the UNi/sub 5/ zone or as a continuous layer between the U/sub 6/Ni and UNi/sub 5/ zones. The dispersed form of the oxide is observed to coalesce into a continuous layer and finally to dissolve during prolonged annealing. The limiting factor in the quality of the bonds is the presence of this oxide within the Ni-U portion of the bond. When the oxide occurs as a continuous layer, the strength of the bond averages less than 10000 psi and the bond is rapidly undercut during the pinhole corrosion test. When the oxide occurs as dispersed particles, the strength averages greater than 15000 psi and the bond confines corrosion. (N.W.R.)

• Research Organization: E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Aiken, S.C.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-009175
• OSTI ID: 4807902
• Journal Information: Am. Soc. Metals, Trans. Quart., Vol. Vol: 54; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
ALUMINUM
ALUMINUM ALLOYS
ANNEALING
BONDING
CORROSION
CORROSION PROTECTION
DIFFRACTION
DIFFUSION
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
FUEL ELEMENTS
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALLOGRAPHY
MICROSCOPY
NICKEL
NICKEL ALLOYS
OXIDES
URANIUM
URANIUM ALLOYS
X RADIATION