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Review of self-irradiation effects in Pu-substituted zirconolite

Journal Article · · Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6954604

Self-irradiation effects due to alpha decay in Pu-substituted zirconolite (CaPuTi/sub 2/O/sub 7/) have been assessed by dilatometry, TEM, microindentation testing, and differential thermal analysis. The crystalline material became metamict as a result of accumulation of alpha recoil tracks, with accompanying swelling, reduction of hardness, and increase in fracture toughness. Storage at elevated temperature partially or wholly suppressed metamictization. Studies of recovery from the metamict state showed that ease of crystallization depends on extend of prior damage and that heavy damage reduces the amount of stored energy. These results are interpreted in terms of competition between damage accumulation and annealing, variations within the metamict state, and the role of a heterogeneous microstructure.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., Los Alamos, NM 87545
OSTI ID:
6954604
Journal Information:
Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 65:8; ISSN ACSBA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English