Study of methods for phase characterization in intermetallic UA1x

The UA1x is an intermetallic compound used in the manufacture of irradiation targets for molybdenum-99 production. The fissionable uranium-235 is presented in the form of intermetallic UA1x powder, which is dispersed in an aluminum matrix. This paper aims at studying methods for phase characterization of the intermetallic. The index x identifies the phase composition of the compound, usually a mixture of UA12, UA13and UA14. The phase composition was quantified in the UA1x powder and UA1x-Al dispersion by means of image analysis and x-ray diffraction, applying the Rietveld method. Both methods allowed the quantification of the presented phases. The results from the two methods differed from each other with respect to the concentration determination. Possible error sources are discussed in this paper. The quantification method based on X-ray diffraction showed potential to be applied to the RMB project for phase quantification in UA1x-A1 dispersion targets, which is required by specification. (author)