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Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP): A novel method to prepare Cr-doped UO2 nuclear fuel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2020

Theo Cordara ,
Hannah Smith ,
Ritesh Mohun ,
Laura J. Gardner ,
Martin C. Stennett Open the ORCID record for Martin C. Stennett [Opens in a new window] ,
Neil C. Hyatt  and
Claire L. Corkhill Open the ORCID record for Claire L. Corkhill [Opens in a new window]
Theo Cordara
Affiliation:
NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
Hannah Smith
Affiliation:
NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
Ritesh Mohun
Affiliation:
NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
Laura J. Gardner
Affiliation:
NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
Martin C. Stennett
Affiliation:
NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
Neil C. Hyatt
Affiliation:
NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
Claire L. Corkhill*
Affiliation:
NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD, United Kingdom
*
*(Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

The addition of Cr2O3 to modern UO2 fuel modifies the microstructure so that, through the generation of larger grains during fission, a higher proportion of fission gases can be accommodated. This reduces the pellet-cladding mechanical interaction of the fuel rods, allowing the fuels to be “burned” for longer than traditional UO2 fuel, thus maximising the energy obtained. We here describe the preparation of UO2 and Cr-doped UO2 using Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), as a potential method for fuel fabrication, and for development of analogue materials for spent nuclear fuel research. Characterization of the synthesised materials confirmed that high density UO2 was successfully formed, and that Cr was present as particles at grain boundaries and also within the UO2 matrix, possibly in a reduced form due to the processing conditions. In contrast to studies of Cr-doped UO2 synthesised by other methods, no significant changes to the grain size were observed in the presence of Cr.

Keywords

nuclear materialshot isostatic pressing (HIP)actinide
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 5 , Issue 1-2: Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XLIII , 2020 , pp. 45 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2020

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