Inert matrix fuel with low melting point zirconium brazing alloys

Dispersion type zirconium matrix fuels fabricated by capillary impregnation method

“…8. Schematic presentation of IMF versions; (a) proposed IMF with fuel mini-elements and zirconium matrix, (b) its fabrication via capillary impregnation [5]. Conditions: cladding diameter 9.1 mm thickness 0.7 mm.…”

“…A design, where PuO 2 base fuel is isolated in fuel minielements that are placed inside a fuel element is proposed, see Fig. 8(a) and (b) [5]. Inner space is filled with Zr matrix granules (Fig.…”

“…The further perfection of this type of dispersion fuel is in progress, both to improve the fuel design (controllable porosity to accommodate swelling) and to modify the fabrication process. Using the capillary properties of the zirconium matrix alloys, a method of capillary impregnation is being developed [3][4][5]. It consists in co-introducing zirconium matrix alloy and fuel granules into a fuel element.…”

Modeling the swelling performance of UMo alloys for Al-matrix dispersion fuel

“…Below the melting temperature, the reaction is diffusion-controlled and proceeds quite slowly. Irradiation enhances the diffusion rates [23]. In the UMo/Al system, temperature is an important consideration in determining the porosity and the formation of the reaction layer because it strongly influences the reaction rate between the fuel and the matrix.…”

Physical Metallurgical Studies of Zr-Rich U-Zr Alloys

“…Uranium-zirconium alloys are main constituents for making metallic fuels. These fuels find their use in monolithic form for fast reactor and in dispersion form in thermal reactor [2,3]. With suitable enrichment of uranium, zirconium rich U-Zr alloys could be used as dispersion fuel in advanced pressurized water reactor.…”