HIGH DENSITY UO2 AND HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY UO2 COMPOSITES BY SPARK PLASMA SINTERING (SPS)

摘要

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for production of a nuclear fuel pellet by spark plasma sintering (SPS), wherein a fuel pellet with more than 80 %TD or more than 90% TD is formed. The SPS can be performed with the imposition of a controlled uniaxial pressure applied at the maximum temperature of the processing to achieve a very high density, in excess of 95 %TD, at temperatures of 850 to 1600 °C. The formation of a fuel pellet can be carried out in one hour or less. In an embodiment of the invention, a nuclear fuel pellet comprises U0₂ and a highly thermally conductive material, such as SiC or diamond.