@inproceedings{ee654ec8a19f4c30bd89bf0e6e28b856,
title = "Manufacturability of U3Si2 and its high temperature oxidation behaviour",
abstract = "High density fuels, such as U3Si2, are being considered alongside improved cladding materials to develop new fuels which are both economic to manufacture and demonstrate enhanced accident tolerance. Through a collaborative programme led by Westinghouse and involving national laboratories in the US and UK, efforts are being made to establish a viable route by which U3Si2 can be manufactured and to test its suitability as a fuel. In the UK work has focused on routes to convert UF6 and UF4 to U3Si2 directly, without needing to reduce the uranium to its metallic state. Experimental observations of reactions between UF4 and Si indicate the formation of a USi2-x phase at a temperature of 1000°C, consistent with thermodynamic assessments. Work on the construction of a rig which will pass UF6 heated to 1000°C through a bed of finely divided Si powder, is also reported. At Westinghouse, U3Si2 fabricated by the arc-melting process has been subjected to high temperature steam and synthetic air tests and the reaction rate measured as a function of temperature using differential scanning calorimetry. The rates are compared to UO2 and UN. At Idaho National Laboratory irradiation testing of U3Si2 fuel is in progress. Fuel specimens were prepared by conventional arc melting process to formulate the U3Si2 followed by conventional powder metallurgy processes to create pellets. These irradiation tests are intended to help resolve questions concerning the swelling of U3Si2 under conditions representative of LWR fuel.",
keywords = "ATF, Accident tolerant fuels, Steam oxidation, Uranium hexafluoride, Uranium tetrafluoride",
author = "Goddard, {David T.} and Mathers, {Daniel P.} and Eaves, {David G.} and Peng Xu and Lahoda, {Edward J.} and Harp, {Jason M.}",
year = "2016",
language = "English",
series = "Top Fuel 2016: LWR Fuels with Enhanced Safety and Performance",
publisher = "American Nuclear Society",
pages = "31--39",
booktitle = "Top Fuel 2016",
note = "Top Fuel 2016: LWR Fuels with Enhanced Safety and Performance ; Conference date: 11-09-2016 Through 15-09-2016",
}