Seria: NOMATEN Hybrid Seminar

Prelegent i afiliacja: Dr. Maria Okuniewski Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA

Data: December 10th, 2024 / Time: 1 PM

Miejsce: NOMATEN seminar room

Streszczenie: Uranium-10wt.% molybdenum (U-10Mo) fuels are currently under consideration for the conversion of high-enriched U to low-enriched U fuels within high-performance research and test reactors to minimize proliferation concerns. These fuels are also of interest for small modular reactors and fast reactors, which require differing fabrication techniques. In general, U-10Mo fuels exhibit stable irradiation, mechanical, and corrosion behavior. The irradiation stability is due to the existence of the metastable γ  phase (body-centered cubic) that demonstrates isotropic swelling. However, since the equilibrium phases are the α  and the γ'  phases that exhibit anisotropic swelling, operation using these fuels at sub-eutectoid temperatures promotes phase decomposition of the γ  phase, resulting in poor irradiation stability. Upon irradiation, the reversal of α+γ'→γ  phase can occur. In this talk the phase evolution will be discussed for varying fabrication techniques, irradiation temperatures, and doses using advanced characterization techniques, including transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Finally, the experimental work will be compared to molecular dynamics simulations.