Fabrication, characterization, and thermal-property measurements of ThO/sub 2/--UO/sub 2/ fuel materials (LWBR Development Program)

Technical Report · Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1967

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6745950· OSTI ID:6745950

Springer, J R; Eldridge, E A; Goodyear, M U; Wright, T R; Lagedrost, J F

Thermophysical-property specimens of ThO/sub 2/, ThO/sub 2/-10 wt % UO/sub 2/, and ThO/sub 2/-20 wt % UO/sub 2/ were fabricated and characterized. Each material composition was represented by specimens with nominal densities of 95, 85, and 75 percent of theoretical. Thermal-diffusivity, linear-thermal-expansion, and specific-heat measurements were made at 300 to 1900/sup 0/C and used to determine thermal conductivity. Results of linear-thermal-expansion and specific-heat measurements were approximately the same for all materials. Values of linear thermal expansion ranged up to 2.2 percent in heating from room temperature to 2000/sup 0/C. The specific heat ranged from 0.055 cal/(g) (C) at 0/sup 0/C to 0.080 cal/(g) (C) at 2000/sup 0/C. Thermal-diffusivity values ranged from 3.0 x 10/sup -2/ cm/sup 2/ per sec at 300/sup 0/C to 0.5 x 10/sup -2/ cm/sup 2/ per sec at 1900/sup 0/C. Thermal conductivities decreased in regular fashion with increased UO/sub 2/ content and porosity. An equation is given which fits all of the data obtained; it is anticipated that it will fit the data for other compositions within the given limits. (NSA 22: 47703)

• Research Organization: BMI (Battelle Memorial Institute (United States))
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-92; AT(11-1)-GEN-14
• OSTI ID: 6745950
• Report Number(s): BMI-X-10210
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360201* -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Preparation & Fabrication
360203 -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Mechanical Properties
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
BREEDER REACTORS
CHALCOGENIDES
FABRICATION
LWBR TYPE REACTORS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REACTORS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMAL DIFFUSIVITY
THERMAL REACTORS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THORIUM COMPOUNDS
THORIUM OXIDES
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
URANIUM OXIDES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS