| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Composite Materials for Nuclear Applications III
|
| Presentation Title |
Development of High-Temperature-Steam Resistant UN via the Addition of UB2 |
| Author(s) |
Megan Pritchard, Tim Abram, Joel Turner |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Megan Pritchard |
| Abstract Scope |
This work is focused on improving the behaviour of a key long-term UO2 replacement, uranium mononitride (UN). A composite UN fuel containing UB2 has been manufactured, which appears to improve the hydrolysis behaviour of UN when co-sintered. UN and UB2 powders have been milled using three different milling methods before sintering and the resultant pellets characterised to understand the effects of UB2 on UN sintering behaviour and hydrolysis performance. Differences in microstructure were observed for the three milling methods, with high energy milling leading to smaller UB2 inclusions as well as the formation of a UBN phase on sintering. All pellets showed an increase in the steam oxidation onset temperature when compared to pure UN of a similar density. Of note was one sample set with a density of approximately 92%TD, which achieved an onset temperature of 823 K. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Nuclear Materials, Composites, Other |