Title

Microstructure characterization of as-fabricated and 475 degrees C annealed U-7 wt.% Mo dispersion fuel in Al-Si alloy matrix

Authors

Authors

B. Yao; E. Perez; D. D. Keiser; J. F. Jue; C. R. Clark; N. Woolstenhulme;Y. Sohn

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Alloy. Compd.

Keywords

Nuclear fuels; U(Mo); Interface; Diffusion reaction; TEM; IRRADIATION BEHAVIOR; LOW-TEMPERATURE; DEGREES-C; INTERDIFFUSION; Chemistry, Physical; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Metallurgy &; Metallurgical Engineering

Abstract

High-density uranium (U) alloys with an increased concentration of U are being examined for the development of research and test reactors with low enriched metallic fuels. The U-Mo fuel alloy dispersed in Al-Si alloy has attracted particular interest for this application. This paper reports our detailed characterization results of as-fabricated and annealed (475 degrees C for 4 h) U-Mo dispersion fuels in Al-Si matrix with a Si concentration of 2 and 5 wt.%, named as "As2Si", "As5Si", "An2Si", "An5Si" accordingly. Techniques employed for the characterization include scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with specimen prepared by focused ion beam in situ lift-out. Fuel plates with Al-5 wt.% Si matrix consistently yielded thicker interaction layers developed between U-Mo particles and Al-Si matrix, than those with Al-2 wt.% Si matrix, given the same processing parameters. A single layer of interaction zone was observed in as-fabricated samples (i.e., "As2Si", "As5Si"), and this layer mainly consisted of U(3)Si(3)Al(2) phase. The annealed samples contained a two-layered interaction zone, with a Si-rich layer near the U-Mo side, and an Al-rich layer near the Al-Si matrix side. The U(3)Si(5) appeared as the main phase in the Si-rich layer in "An2Si" sample, while both U(3)Si(5) and U(3)Si(3)Al(2) were identified in sample "An5Si". The Al-rich layer in sample "An2Si" was amorphous, whereas that in sample "An5Si" mostly consisted of crystalline U(Al,Si)(3), along with a small fraction of U(Al,Si)(4) and U(6)Mo(4)Al(43) phases. The influence of Si on the diffusion and reaction in the development of interaction layers in U(Mo)/Al(Si) is discussed in the light of growth-controlling mechanisms and irradiation performance. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Volume

509

Issue/Number

39

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

9487

Last Page

9496

WOS Identifier

WOS:000294153800019

ISSN

0925-8388

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