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Oxide Fuels with Controlled Microstructure
Author(s) -
ASSMANN H.,
DOERR W.,
PEEHS M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1984.tb19608.x
Subject(s) - materials science , microstructure , porosity , pellets , oxide , cladding (metalworking) , cracking , alloy , zirconium , pellet , zirconium alloy , mixed oxide , chemical engineering , metallurgy , composite material , engineering
The control of microstructural properties of UO 2 , UO 2 ‐Gd 2 O 3 , and UO 2 ‐PuO 2 pellets for light water reactors and the relations of these properties to in‐reactor performance aspects are discussed for four groups of properties: (1) density/porosity, (2) pore structure, (3) grain structure, and (4) oxide phase structure of the mixed oxides. According to theoretical modelling, in‐reactor densification/swelling behavior mainly depends on the density and pore size distribution. The pore structure can be adapted to performance requirements by adequate methods during fuel production. The benefit of this approach has been proven by available operational experience and by postirradiation examinations. Tailoring of the grain structure allows the reduction of fission gas release and pellet/clad interaction, i.e., stress corrosion cracking of the zirconium alloy cladding. A safe and reliable operation is also attained with the mixed oxides by the control of the oxide phase structures, e.g., by avoiding thermal spiking.