Thermal characteristics of powder U-6Zr and U-10Zr as a research reactor fuel

It have been conducted an experiment to determine the characteristics of thermal of the U-Zr powder by using DTA and DSC. The U-Zr powder was made through a process hidriding-dehidriding with Zr content of 6% and 10%. The purpose of this research wish to study the thermal properties of U-6Zr and U-10Zr powder such as enthalpy, melting temperature, chemical reactions, and heat capacity. The U-Zr powder is made through a process hidriding-dehidriding with Zr content of 6 % and 10 %. Enthalpy and melting temperature measurements carried out using DTA at temperatures of 30-1000°C at a heating rate 10°C/minute in the media argon gas, while the measurements heat capacity by using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a temperature between 30 °C until 450°C. The test results with the DTA showed that U-6Zr powder experiencing a change of phases through of six steps, while for U-10Zr powders change of phases through of four steps. Meanwhile, from the test by using the DSC equipment was found that result for U-6Zr powder has a heat capacity of 0.09 up to 0.21 J/g°C, and for the U-10Zr powder has heat capacity of 0,08 J/g°C to 0,14 J/g°C, where both powder were observed at temperature between 35 °C up to 95 °C (maximum testing until 1000°C). From the experiments conducted it can be concluded that the U-6Zr powder has better thermal properties than the U-10Zr powder. (author)