Thermal conductivity of titania-doped UO2-4% PuO2

The thermal diffusivity of TiO2-doped UO2-4% PuO2 sintered pellets was determined in the temperature range of 900 - 1900 K by the laser flash method. The thermal conductivity was calculated from the measured thermal diffusivity and specific heat data drawn from literature. The thermal conductivity of TiO2-doped UO2-4% PuO2 was found to increase by nearly 25% above 1473 K. Thus, small addition of TiO2 not only increases the grain size but also the thermal conductivity of UO2-4% PuO2 fuel pellets. (author)