Thermal compatibility studies of unirradiated uranium silicide dispersed in aluminum. [Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor]
Powder metallurgy dispersions of uranium silicides in an aluminum matrix have been developed by the international Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors program as a new generation of proliferation-resistant fuels. A major issue of concern is the compatibility of the fuel with the matrix material and the dimensional stability of this fuel type. A total of 45 miniplate-type fuel plates were annealed at 400/sup 0/C for up to 1981 hours. A data base for the thermal compatibility of unirradiated uranium silicide dispersed in aluminum was established. No modification tested of a standard fuel plate showed any significant reduction of the plate swelling. The cause of the thermal growth of silicide fuel plates was determined to be a two-step process: (1) the reaction of the uranium silicide with aluminum to form U(AlSi)/sub 3/ and (2) the release of hydrogen and subsequent creep and pillowing of the fuel plate. 9 references, 4 figures, 6 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6286269
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8410173-4; ON: DE85004037
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International meeting on reduced enrichment for research and test reactors, Argonne, IL, USA, 14 Oct 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
ALUMINIUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPATIBILITY
FUEL PLATES
SWELLING
MATRIX MATERIALS
URANIUM SILICIDES
DISPERSION NUCLEAR FUELS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GAS YIELDS
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
DATA
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUELS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
METALS
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUMERICAL DATA
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
SILICIDES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOLID FUELS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
YIELDS
050700* - Nuclear Fuels- Fuels Production & Properties
220600 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Research
Test & Experimental Reactors