²³⁸Pu fuel form processes. Bimonthly report, January-February 1979

Technical Report · Mon Dec 10 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5748198· OSTI ID:5748198

Harris, Jr., S. D.

Microstructural studies of small-scale GPHS fuel pellets indicate that a reduction in the sintering temperature of the high-fired shards from 1600 deg C to 1400 deg C had (1) only small effects on microstructure and (2) apparently no effect on dimensional stability or fracture resistance of the pellets. Small ²³⁸PuO₂ pellets hot pressed to different densities cracked during reoxidation in air at both low and high temperatures when microstructural densities exceeded 84 to 85% theoretical density. A new furnace rack-tray assembly made of ZGS Pt-10% Rh was designed for the plutonium fuel fabrication sintering furnace to provide capability for sintering high-fired (1600 deg C) shards for the production of General-Purpose Heat Source fuel pellets. The first unreduced hot-pressed pellets of PuO/sub 2/ have been fabricated by using an alumina die liner in a graphite die-susceptor. The pellets were integral and uncracked after heat treatment in oxygen.

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-09-0001
• OSTI ID: 5748198
• Report Number(s): DPST--79-128-1/2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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