Synthesis, characterization, elastic constants and thermal expansion of U-20%Zr alloy

U-Zr is a major subsystem of the U-Pu-Zr metallic fuel for fast breeder reactors. Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is essential for modeling fuel behavior in nuclear reactors. It is needed to calculate stresses occurring in the fuel and cladding with change in temperature. The CTE is used to determine change in alloy density as a function of temperature as density decreases due to volume expansion and leads to neutron leakages. Thermal expansion was determined using dilatometer. Mechanical properties of alloys are important as they can be correlated to tensile strength and yield stress. A velocity meter was used to determine elastic constant of the material in a non-destructive manner