Relation between Gamma Decomposition and Powder Formation of <i>γ</i>-U8Mo Nuclear Fuel Alloys via Hydrogen Embrittlement and Thermal Shock

Abstract

Gamma uranium-molybdenum alloys have been considered as the fuel phase in plate type fuel elements for material and test reactors (MTR), due to their acceptable performance under irradiation. Regarding their usage as a dispersion phase in aluminum matrix, it is necessary to convert the as cast structure into powder, and one of the techniques considered for this purpose is the hydration-dehydration (HDH). This paper shows that, under specific conditions of heating and cooling, γ-UMo fragmentation occurs in a non-reactive predominant mechanism, as shown by the curves of hydrogen absorption/desorption as a function of time and temperature. Our focus was on the experimental results presented by the addition of 8% weight molybdenum. Following the production by induction melting, samples of the alloys were thermally treated under a constant flow of hydrogen for temperatures varying from 500˚C to 600˚C and for times of 0.5 to 4 h. It was observed that, even without a massive hydration-dehydration process, the alloys fragmented under specific conditions of thermal treatment during the thermal shock phase of the experiments. Also, it was observed that there was a relation between absorption and the rate of gamma decomposition or the gamma phase stability of the alloy.

PENGARUH KADAR Mo TERHADAP FASA g-UMo, SIFAT TERMAL DAN DENSITAS PADUAN UMo EFFECT OF Mo CONTENT ON THE g-UMo PHASE, THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND DENSITY OF UMo ALLOY

“…Bahan bakar uranium dengan unsur pemadu utamanya menghasilkan daerah fasa  relatif besar cenderung memiliki ketahanan yang tinggi terhadap dampak yang ditimbulkan oleh pengaruh iradiasi. Unsur pemadu utama yang menghasilkan daerah fasa gamma yang lebih besar dan memiliki densitas tinggi antara lain, logam molibdenum (Mo) [1,2]. Paduan uranium dengan P…”