Year: 1961
Type: report
Abstract: Tests in which aluminum-jacketed, Al-Si bonded uranium fuel elements were baked at various temperatures have shown there is a time-temperature relationship for Al-Si layer decomposition. For heat transfer and secondary coolant barrier considerations, the extent of bonding layer deterioration during fuel element irradiation is important. Currently, Al-Si bonded fuel elements show evidence of spire bond separation, and to a lesser degree, can-bond separation following irradiation. Such evidence has aroused concern for the ability of the currently produced Al-Si bonded fuel elements to withstand future reactor operating conditions. Several potential uranium fabrication and canning process improvements are being developed to further advance fuel element stability and performance. Optimization of process conditions based on these improvements may provide the necessary margin of safety for good bond layer integrity, but before a decision can be made to continue improvement of the present process or convert to a new canning process, more information on the stability of the present fuel element bond is needed. This report presents the irradiation phase of a test which was designed to more fully evaluate Al-Si bond integrity under anticipated future reactor conditions.
DOI: 10.2172/10148136
Language: French
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2007885215