NSUF 14-504: Characterization of as-cast microstructures in U-Pu-Zr and U-Pu-Mo alloys
Plutonium-uranium-zirconium (Pu-U-Zr) and plutonium-uranium-molybdenum (Pu-U-Mo) alloys have attracted attention for application in advanced fast reactors. This application demands an understanding of fuel performance and detailed microstructure characterization prior to an alloy’s implementation in nuclear reactor environment. Despite their potential importance as reactor fuels, alloys U, Pu, Zr and Mo have not been thoroughly characterized, and microstructures of unirradiated materials have not been examined in detail. The project aims to characterize the microstructure and chemical composition of these as-cast metal fuel alloys. This proposal requests access to focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and local electrode atom probe (LEAP) instruments for thorough characterization of fuel microstructure and chemical analysis. The proposed work will lead to enhancement of fundamental understanding of fuel performance.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Plutonium-uranium-zirconium (Pu-U-Zr) and plutonium-uranium-molybdenum (Pu-U-Mo) alloys have attracted attention for application in advanced fast reactors. This application demands an understanding of fuel performance and detailed microstructure characterization prior to an alloy’s implementation in nuclear reactor environment. Despite their potential importance as reactor fuels, alloys U, Pu, Zr and Mo have not been thoroughly characterized, and microstructures of unirradiated materials have not been examined in detail. The project aims to characterize the microstructure and chemical composition of these as-cast metal fuel alloys. This proposal requests access to focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and local electrode atom probe (LEAP) instruments for thorough characterization of fuel microstructure and chemical analysis. The proposed work will lead to enhancement of fundamental understanding of fuel performance. |
| Award Announced Date | 2014-08-11T00:00:00 |
| Awarded Institution | None |
| Facility | None |
| Facility Tech Lead | Yaqiao Wu |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Assel Aitkaliyeva |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 504 |