Compatibility of low-burnup U-1OZr fuel with HT9 cladding at elevated temperatures
A series of fuel-cladding compatibility tests was conducted on low-burnup ({approximately}2.9 a/o) U-10Zr fuel with HT9 cladding in the temperature range between 700 and 850{degree}C. Following the tests, the specimens were metallographically examined to determine the condition of the fuel and cladding and to measure the maximum cladding wastage. One of the specimens was examined with the scanning electron microscope to identify the phases and constituents involved in the fuel-cladding metallurgical interaction. The results of these tests showed the fuel-cladding interaction to be a liquid-phase attack of the cladding. Onset of interaction occurred at a temperature between 700 and 750{degree}C. When interaction occurred, Fe and Cr, the major constituents of the HT9 cladding, migrated into the fuel, resulting in the lowering of the fuel solidus temperature. At the same time, a significant amount of reaction between the fuel and cladding constituents took place at the fuel-cladding interface. The reaction boundary in the cladding was found to be sharply defined. There was no intergranular or intragranular penetration or cracking in the unreacted cladding, which was found to be ductile and capable of arresting crack propagation. The measured maximum rate of cladding penetration agreed well with the current ANL correlation. 5 refs., 26 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 714570
- Report Number(s):
- ANL-IFR--104; ON: TI89020828
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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