Progress on Synthesis of Low Content Inert Matrix Fuel Pellets

Progress was made on optimizing hot-press parameters for preparing fuel for two different coating methods: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). Surrogate materials, CeO₂ and ZrO₂, were used in place of UO₂ and PuO₂ for fuel development. Although the more porous CeO₂ pellets were not successfully made to the extent that CVI would work with them as intended, hot-press parameters were optimized such that the pellets could be coated using CVD. The ZrO₂ was denser and therefore could more successfully be pressed to CVI standards; however, further improvement is needed before the process is implemented. Future work will continue to explore the optimization of a porous structure for CVI.