Microstructural characteristics of DU-xMo alloys with x = 7-12 wt percent

摘要

Microstructural, phase, and impurity analyses of six depleted uranium-molybdenum alloys were obtained using optical metallography, X-ray diffraction, and carbonitrogen/oxygen determination. Uranium-molybdenum alloy foils are currently under investigation for the conversion of high-power research reactors using high-enriched uranium fuel to accommodate the use of low-enriched uranium fuel. Understanding basic microstructural behavior of these foils is an important consideration in determining the impact of fabrication processes and in anticipating performance of the foils in a reactor. Average grain diameter decreased with increasing molybdenum content. Lattice parameter decreased with increasing molybdenum content, and no significant degree of phase decomposition or crystal-lographic ordering was caused by processing and post-processing conditions employed in this study. Impurity concentration, specifically carbon, inhibited the degree of microstructural recrystallization but did not appear to impact other microstructural traits, such as gamma-phase retention or lattice parameter.