UO sub 2 Pore Migration and Grain Growth Kinetics

摘要

A mathematical model for determining the UO sub 2 grain growth rate was developed in order to evaluate UO sub 2 steady-state creep rates and fracture strengths. This model may also be applied in the postirradiation examination of UO sub 2 nuclear fuel rods to estimate fuel temperatures experienced during experiments performed in the Loss-of-Fluid Test (LOFT) facility at the Idaho National Enginering Laboratory. The model was developed from a study of experimental data of UO sub 2 grain growth rates and of pore migration rates in UO sub 2 and effects of pore size and bubble pressure upon the migration rates. Because pores attached to UO sub 2 grain boundaries inhibit the rate of grain growth, a study of grain growth kinetics must consider the UO sub 2 pore migration rates. (ERA citation 04:048692)