The effect of the aluminium content of uranium upon its oxidation behaviour in carbon dioxide and air

The influence of the aluminium content of the adjusted uranium fuel for Magnox reactors upon its oxidation behaviour has been investigated. Data have been obtained for the oxidation of uranium, containing 1270-1550 ppm aluminium, in dry carbon dioxide, at 375 and 5000C and in dry and wet air, at 100 and 2000C, to extend information derived previously for material containing 500-900 ppm aluminium. The influence has also been covered of pre-irradiation to a burn up of 6830 MWD/t. Variation in aluminium content between 500-1550 ppm had no significant influence upon the oxidation behaviour. The oxidation rate, in all environments, increased with the extent of the irradiation induced swelling, at least up to the maximum examined (17.2%) and also with increasing moisture content of the air. (Auth.)