Thermal properties of (Al,Gd)O₃ doped uranium dioxide

In this paper were defined thermal characteristics (thermal diffusivity up to 2000 °C, heat capacity up to 1250 ° C and thermal conductivity of up to 1250 °C) of oxide nuclear fuel with additives of burnable neutron absorber in the form of (Al,Gd)O₃. Also for comparison samples UO₂ with gadolinium Gd₂O₃ and pure uranium dioxide were studied. It is shown that the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of UO₂ with dopant of gadolinium in the form of (Al, Gd) O₃ is considerably higher than those of Gd₂O₃ -doped uranium dioxide, due to the fact that (Al, Gd)O₃ does not form a solid solution with UO₂. (paper)