238PuO2/Mo-50 wt% Re compatibility at 800 and 10000C

The compatibility of Mo-50 wt % Re with 238PuO2 was investigated after heat treatments of up to 720 days at 8000C and 180 days at 10000C. At 8000C, a 1-μm thick, continuous layer of molybdenum oxide resulted. At 10000C, the oxide reaction product contained some plutonium and did not appear continuous. At 10000C, a layer of intermetallic formed at the Mo-Re edge, beneath the oxide layer, creating a barrier between the Mo-50 wt % Re and the 238PuO2. The intermetallic layer was promoted by the iron impurity in the 238PuO2