Coating thickness determination in highly absorbent core–shell systems

This article describes a single‐shot methodology to derive an average coating thickness in multi‐particle core–shell systems exhibiting high X‐ray absorption. Powder composed of U–Mo alloy particles surrounded by a micrometre‐thick UO 2 protective layer has been used as a test sample. Combining high‐energy X‐ray diffraction and laser granulometry, the average shell thickness could be accurately characterized. These results have been validated by additional measurements on single particles by two techniques: X‐ray nanotomography and high‐energy X‐ray diffraction. The presented single‐shot approach gives rise to many potential applications on core–shell systems and in particular on as‐fabricated heterogeneous nuclear fuels.