METALLURGICAL ASPECTS OF SRE FUEL ELEMENT DAMAGE EPISODE

Technical Report · Sun Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4823866

Ballif, J L

>An investigation of the metallurgical aspects of the SRE fuel element episode, that occurred July 26, 1959, has been completed. A total of ten hot cell examinations and two special tests were made, with both damaged and undamaged fuel elements from the reactor, to determine causative factors. The results show that iron--uranium alloy melting was present. The fuel element channel examined contained ample carbonaceous and/or oxide residue to block the coolant flow, either intermittently or on a permanent basis. Evidence of rapid thermal cycling of the fuel element through the alpha-beta transformation temperature is pret damage. Investigation or the cladding and structural materials indicated that no damage had occured from either carburization or from nitriding. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomics International. Div. of North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, Calif.
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-GEN-8
• NSA Number: NSA-15-032927
• OSTI ID: 4823866
• Report Number(s): NAA-SR-4515
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CANNING
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DEPOSITS
FAILURES
FUEL ELEMENTS
HEAT TREATMENTS
INSPECTION
IRON ALLOYS
LIQUID FLOW
LIQUID METAL COOLANT
MATERIALS TESTING
MELTING
METALLURGY
NITROGEN
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
SODIUM
SRE
TEMPERATURE
URANIUM ALLOYS