Title
Diffusion Barrier Selection from Refractory Metals (Zr, Mo and Nb) Via Interdiffusion Investigation for U-Mo RERTR Fuel Alloy
Abbreviated Journal Title
J. Phase Equilib. Diffus.
Keywords
diffusion barrier; interdiffusion; multicomponent diffusion; nuclear; URANIUM-MOLYBDENUM ALLOY; DISPERSION FUEL; HIGH-DENSITY; MATRIX; AL; Chemistry, Physical; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Metallurgy &; Metallurgical Engineering
Abstract
U-Mo alloys are being developed as low enrichment monolithic fuel under the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) program. Diffusional interactions between the U-Mo fuel alloy and Al-alloy cladding within the monolithic fuel plate construct necessitate incorporation of a barrier layer. Fundamentally, a diffusion barrier candidate must have good thermal conductivity, high melting point, minimal metallurgical interaction, and good irradiation performance. Refractory metals, Zr, Mo, and Nb are considered based on their physical properties, and the diffusion behavior must be carefully examined first with U-Mo fuel alloy. Solid-to-solid U-10 wt.%Mo versus Mo, Zr, or Nb diffusion couples were assembled and annealed at 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 A degrees C for various times. The interdiffusion microstructures and chemical composition were examined via scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis, respectively. For all three systems, the growth rate of interdiffusion zone were calculated at 1000, 900 and 800 A degrees C under the assumption of parabolic growth, and calculated for lower temperature of 700, 600 and 500 A degrees C according to Arrhenius relationship. The growth rate was determined to be about 10(3) times slower for Zr, 10(5) times slower for Mo and 10(6) times slower for Nb, than the growth rates reported for the interaction between the U-Mo fuel alloy and pure Al or Al-Si cladding alloys. Zr, however was selected as the barrier metal due to a concern for thermo-mechanical behavior of UMo/Nb interface observed from diffusion couples, and for ductile-to-brittle transition of Mo near room temperature.
Journal Title
Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion
Volume
35
Issue/Number
2
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
146
Last Page
156
WOS Identifier
ISSN
1547-7037
Recommended Citation
"Diffusion Barrier Selection from Refractory Metals (Zr, Mo and Nb) Via Interdiffusion Investigation for U-Mo RERTR Fuel Alloy" (2014). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 5475.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/5475
Comments
Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu