Effect of High Si Content on U3Si2 Fuel Microstructure

Rosales, Jhonathan; van Rooyen, Isabella J.; Meher, Subhashish; Hoggan, Rita; Parga, Clemente; Harp, Jason

doi:10.1007/s11837-017-2654-6

Title: Effect of High Si Content on U₃Si₂ Fuel Microstructure

Journal Article · Thu Nov 16 00:00:00 EST 2017 · JOM. Journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-017-2654-6· OSTI ID:1562900

Rosales, Jhonathan ^[1];

^[1];

^[1]; Parga, Clemente ^[1];

^[1]

Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

The development of U₃Si₂ as an accident tolerant nuclear fuel has gained research interest due to its promising high uranium density and improved thermal properties. In the present study, three samples of U₃Si₂ fuel with varying silicon content have been fabricated by a conventional powder metallurgical route. Microstructural characterization via scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveals the presence of other stoichiometry of uranium silicide such as USi and UO₂ in both samples. The detailed phase analysis by x-ray diffraction shows the presence of secondary phases, such as USi, U₃Si, and UO₂. The samples with higher concentrations of silicon content of 7.5 wt.% displays additional elemental Si. Furthermore, these samples also possess an increased amount of the USi phase as compared to that in the conventional sample with 7.3 wt.% silicon. The optimization of U₃Si₂ fuel performance through the understanding of the role of Si content on its microstructure has been discussed.

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Research Organization:: Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 1562900

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU-17-43263-Rev000; TRN: US2000774

Journal Information:: JOM. Journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, Vol. 70, Issue 2; ISSN 1047-4838

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 3 works

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References (8)

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Cited By (1)

A first-principles study on the influences of metal species Al, Zr, Mo and Tc on the mechanical properties of U ₃ Si ₂ Gao, Haigen; Liu, Yande; Hu, Jun Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, Vol. 22, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1039/c9cp03814k	journal	January 2020

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Title: Effect of High Si Content on U3Si2 Fuel Microstructure

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