Flash sintering of UO2 pellets for nuclear fuel and wasteform applications
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Flash sintering (FS) has been shown to enhance the sintering kinetics in UO 2 . Using a bespoke AC-FS furnace, high density UO 2 pellets, >95 % theoretical density (TD) have been produced followed by scale up and Gd 2 O 3 doping trials. Increasing furnace temperature during FS increases pellet density to a plateau, however, increasing hold time and maximum current both increased the density of UO 2 samples to >95 % TD and grain size to ∼4 µm, close to conventional sintering (CS). The optimised FS program reduced sintering temperature and cycle time by ∼50 % compared to CS. Scale up trials showed >96 %TD pellets could be achieved for 11.3 and 14.125 mm diameter green bodies, demonstrating typical fuel pellet diameters are feasible with FS. Gd doping experiments showed with 1 wt% Gd 2 O 3 addition, a ∼92 %TD pellet with ∼2 µm grain size was obtainable, highlighting further optimisation is required for mixed oxide (MOx) materials.
Authors: R.W. Harrison, J. Morgan, J. Buckley, S. Bostanchi, D. Pearmain, T. Abram, D. Goddard, N. Barron
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,900
OpenAlex ID: W4403528242