Abstracts and Available Papers Presented at the
2002 International RERTR Meeting

INTERDIFFUSION BETWEEN U-Mo ALLOYS AND Al

M. I. Mirandou**, S. N. Balart*, M. Ortiz*, M. S. Granovsky*, G. L. Hofman***

*Dpto. Materiales, CAC, CNEA, ARGENTINA;

** I.T. J. Sábato UNSAM-CNEA ARGENTINA;

*** Argonne National Lab. ILL, USA

ABSTRACT

During the fabrication and / or irradiation of the dispersion fuel elements, the fuel particles react with the surrounding Al matrix. This reaction results in the formation of a zone consisting of intermetallic compounds.  The low thermal conductivity of these compounds has a major effect on the fuel temperature as well as on the swelling of the fuel.

Interdiffusion between U-Mo /Al is being investigated using chemical diffusion couples. In this paper the first results obtained with optical and scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe and X-Ray diffraction are presented.

Investigation of the effect on the formation of the interdiffusion zone of small additions of Mg to Al is the primary purpose of this study.

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