Effect of precompaction on sintered UO2 pellets

In powder metallurgy fabrication technique, precompaction and granulation of powders is done to improve powder flowability, to decrease the die fill length, etc. A study has been carried out in Radiometallurgy Division of B.A.R.C. to evaluate the effect of precompaction pressure on the characteristics of sintered UO2 pellets. The precompaction pressure has been varied from 0-20 Tsi with the final compaction pressure being maintained at 15 Tsi and 20 Tsi. As the ratio of precompaction pressure to final compaction pressure is increased, the pore size in the sintered pellet increases and the proportion of open porosity in the sintered pellet increases, though the sintered density improves marginally. (auth.)