Sintering characterization of ex-gel nuclear ceramic materials

The development and characterization at the CDTN/CNEN of ex-gel nuclear ceramic fuels as (Th,5%U)O2 U O2 have been provided a data set through which it has been possible to study the influence of microsphere characteristics on the sintering behavior of these fuels. A good correlation is found between the specific surface and apparent density of calcined/reduced microspheres with pellet densification. The relation between the green densities and microsphere characteristics is near a constant in the respective compaction pressing. It was verified a great different on the sintering behavior of (Th,5%U)O2 and U O2. It seems that this difference can be explained in terms of the reactivity of hyper stoichiometric U O2. (author)