Thorium dioxide and thorium dioxide base fuel

A phase diagram of the Th-O system is briefly outlined. The technological methods of production of thorium dioxide and its products are presented, namely: pressing, slurry casting extrusion, sintering. Considered are physical and-mechanical (thermodynamic properties, vapor elasticity, melting temperature, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, diffusional ability, Young's modulus, microhardness, strength under bending and compression, creep, electric properties) and chemical properties (stability in gases and coolants interaction with elements, oxides and others) of thorium dioxide. The behaviour of ThO2-UO2 and ThO2 under irradiation is described. Great attention if paid to the problems of fuel f;brication technology on the base of micro fuel elements and characteristic of the fuel. The problem of fuel application on the base of thorium dioxide in pile is briefly illustrated