Phase analysis of metallic plutonium-containing fuel alloys using neutron diffraction

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6345344

Mueller, M H; Richardson, Jr, J W; Strain, R V; Hofman, G L

Pulsed neutron powder diffraction studies at IPNS have expanded our understanding of the phases present in Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) metal fuel alloys at temperatures in the range of reactor operating conditions. We report results from the binary alloy (U-10 wt % Zr) and ternary alloys (U-8% Pu-10% Zr) and (U-19% Pu-10% Zr). Determining the role and the location of Zr and Pu in these alloys is considered of fundamental importance for maximizing engineering efficiency. Rietveld profile analysis was utilized to study the phase diagrams. Data were collected at temperatures ranging from 25--650{degree}C. Although the expected U/Pu/Zr phases ({alpha}-U, {beta}-U, {gamma}-U, {delta}-U/Zr/Pu, {zeta}-U/Pu) were observed in appropriate temperature ranges, there were some unexpected results. Relative amounts of all phases at each temperature were calculated from Rietveld scale factors and inferences were made as to the location of zirconium and plutonium, i.e. amounts in each phase, from site occupancies and absorption characteristics of the phases present. Finally, we were able to identify ZrO and ZrO{sub 1-x} inclusion phases in the U-Zr alloy present in very small (0.5--1.0%) amounts. 15 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/NE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6345344
• Report Number(s): CONF-9007149-5; ON: DE91004407
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
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ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ACTINIDES
ALLOY NUCLEAR FUELS
ALLOY SYSTEMS
ALLOYS
BINARY ALLOY SYSTEMS
COHERENT SCATTERING
DIFFRACTION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FUEL CYCLE
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL PINS
FUELS
IFR REACTOR
MATERIALS
METALS
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
NUCLEAR FUELS
PHASE STUDIES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PLUTONIUM ALLOYS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
SCATTERING
SOLID FUELS
URANIUM
ZERO POWER REACTORS
ZIRCONIUM ALLOYS