Behavior of uranium-erbium oxide fuel pellets during cyclic heat treatment

Abstract

The results of studies of the behavior of uranium-erbium fuel pellets during identical repeated heat tests with analysis of the changes of the microstructure, density, geometric dimensions, and resinterability are presented. It is shown that depending on quality some pellets break down in the course of these tests while others remain whole and swell or densify and decrease in size. It was determined that the pellets break down because the erbium oxide distribution in the molding powder and the pellets is nonuniform. Adjustment of the process regime eliminated pellet breakdown during cyclic heat treatment.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]