Investigations of Uranium Silicide-Based Dispersion Fuels for the Use of Low Enrichment Uranium (LEU) In Research and Test Reactors

摘要

The work presents at the outset, a review of the preparation and properties of uranium silicides (U sub 3 Si and U sub 3 Si sub 2 ) in so far as these are relevant for their use as dispersants in research reactor fuels. The experimental work deals with the preparation and powder metallurgical processing of Al-clad miniature fuel element plates with U sub 3 Si- und U sub 3 Si-Al up to U-densities of 6.0 g U/cm exp 3 . The compatibility of these silicides with the Al-matrix under equilibrium conditions (873 K) and the influence of the reaction on the dimensional stability of the miniplates is described and discussed. (ERA citation 08:031710)