The Study of Manufacturing and Ingot Characterization of U-Zr Alloys

Abstract:

Manufacturing and characterization of U-Zr alloys for PWR fuel types have been conducted. At first U-Zr alloy ingot was made by melting U and Zr metal in the electric arc furnace that is equipped with a water cooler and in an atmosphere of argon gas. Ingot manufacturing of U-Zr alloy was done at Zr concentration 35%, 45%, 55% and 65% weight respectively. U-Zr ingot result was cut for testing, such as: density, hardness, microstructure and phases. Density testing was done by using Autopicnometer, hardness by using microhardness, microstructure by using optical microscope, and phase by XRD. The density test results showed that the increase of Zr will decrease the density, while the hardness tends to increase. At Zr concentration amount 35 % (U-35Zr) the U-35Zr density is 11.2409 g/cc and at concentration amount of 65% (U-65Zr) the U-65 Zr density to be 8.4673 g/cc, while the hardness at 35% of Zr (U-35Zr) the hardness is 374 HV and will be 400 HV at concentration of Zr amount 65%. The microstructure observation result showed that increasing of Zr will increase the amount of grain and δ1 phases, while the result of phases testing showed that the U-Zr alloy tested had been dominated by the δ1 phases. From this experiment can be concluded that adding of Zr will influence the physical properties, mechanical, and microstructure formed. Keywords: Manufacturing, characterization, U-Zr , fuel, PWR.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 376)
• Pages: 23-29
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.376.23
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Masrukan Masrukan
• Keywords: Characterization, Fuel, Manufacturing, PWR, U-Zr

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