U-Mo alloy powder obtained by a hydride-dehydride process

The use of uranium-molybdenum alloys as a component in high-density LEU dispersion fuels is very promising. However, these alloys need to be transformed to powder due to the manufacturing requirements of the fuels. One of the possible methods to accomplish this is the hydride-dehydride process. It is based on the ability of the U-α phase to transform to UH3: a brittle and relatively low-density compound. A powder was obtained applying this method which is described in this work. U-Mo alloys around 7 wt % Mo were heat treated at different temperature ranges in order to partially convert β-phase to α-phase. Subsequent hydriding transforms this α-phase to UH3. The volume change associated to the hydride formation embrittles the material which ends up as a powdered alloy. Results of the optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction during different steps of the process are shown. (author)