Published September 1989 | Version v1
Journal article

Characterization of sintering of gelled UO3 microspheres

  • 1. Atomic Energy Establishment, Cairo (Egypt). Metallurgy Dept.
  • 2. Cairo Univ. (Egypt). Faculty of Engineering

Description

Several processes have been developed for the fabrication of UO3 microspheres which can be used as fuel material in different types of nuclear reactors. UO3 microspheres, prepared using an internal gelation process, were reduced and sintered. Hydrogen and argon atmospheres were used at temperatures ranging from 1100 deg C to 1400 deg C for different durations. It was found that the sintered density is higher for spheres reduced at 700 deg C than at any other reduction temperature. Lower densities were achieved in argon atmosphere than in hydrogen for the same sintering and reduction temperature. More than 98% Th.D. could be obtained by calcining the UO3 spheres at 400 deg C for 1 hr, reducing at 700 deg C and then sintering at 1400 deg C for 2 hrs in hydrogen atmosphere. (author) 17 refs.; 7 figs

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Thermal Analysis
Journal Volume
35
Journal Issue
5
Series
J. Therm. Anal.
Journal Page Range
1405-1412
ISSN
0368-4466
CODEN
JTHEA