Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Microcracking of Eu/sub 2/O/sub 3/--Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ bodies

Journal Article · · J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States)
Europium sesquioxide is of interest as a control material for reactors because it has several large-cross-section isotopes which form successively on neutron capture. Pure monoclinic Eu/sub 2/O/sub 3/ tends to grow large grains during sintering, causing microcracks to develop and leading to anomalous mechanical prperties. The effect of doping the Eu/sub 2/O/sub 3/ with the grain growth suppressant Ta/sub 2/O/sub 3/ was determined using studies of the elastic properties and internal friction by the sonic resonance technique. Compositions with <3 at.% Ta cation substitution had anomalously low room temperature elastic moduli values and showed a hysteresis on thermal cycling. These specimens also had high internal frictions. The finer-grained specimens which resulted when the dopant level exceeded 3 at.% Ta did not show these anomalous characteristics.
Research Organization:
Iowa State Univ., Ames
OSTI ID:
6376790
Journal Information:
J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 61:7-8; ISSN JACTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English