| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
2024 Technical Division Student Poster Contest
|
| Presentation Title |
SPU-16: Synthesis of Spherical Uranium Dioxide Powder Feedstock for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) |
| Author(s) |
Valentyna Pawlowska, Alexi Buenaventura, Anil Prasad, Nikolaos Kotsios |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Valentyna Pawlowska |
| Abstract Scope |
Uranium dioxide, the predominant fuel source for civil power nuclear reactors, is formed into cylindrical fuel pellets using conventional pressing and sintering methods. Additive manufacturing (AM) removes limitations on pellet geometry imposed by conventional manufacturing techniques, allowing for new designs that enhance fuel safety and performance. AM demands spherical powder for consistent flowability during feedstock preparation and printing. Since sourcing such material poses a challenge, CNL explored spherical uranium dioxide powder production through freeze granulation. This process entails spraying a slurry into stirred liquid nitrogen to create spherical granules (25 to 40 microns). The resulting powder was utilized in fabricating printable feedstock for Fused Deposition Modelling (i.e., 3d printing). Trials with zirconium dioxide as a surrogate material demonstrated that the flowability and sphericity matched commercially sourced powder. Subsequent trials with uranium dioxide demonstrated similar success, with electron microscopy confirming sphericity and x-ray diffraction confirming no phase change in the powder. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Additive Manufacturing, Powder Materials |