Preliminary Investigation of Preparing High Burn-Up Structure in Nuclear Fuel by Flash Sintering Using CeO2 as a Surrogate

doi:10.1007/s40195-021-01230-4

Abstract

Abstract:

The high burn-up structure (HBS) is characterized by the grain size of 100-300 nm and a porosity of up to 20%, which is formed at the rim of the nuclear fuel pellet due to 2-3 times higher local burn-up during the in-pile irradiation. HBS is considered a new potential structure for high-performance fuels. However, it is difficult to prepare HBS by conventional sintering methods. In this study, flash sintering was used to prepare HBS using CeO₂ as a surrogate for a preliminary investigation. A new experimental configuration for rapid sintering of CeO₂ pellets was provided, in which the green body can be rapidly preheated and pressure-assisted by the induction heating electrodes. An insulated quartz tube was used as the die for the flash sintered samples, allowing the current to flow through the sample and providing a stable condition for applying an external pressure of approximately 5.3-7.0 MPa during flash sintering process. Using an initial electric field of 141 V cm^-1 and holding for 1-7 min at the maximum current density of ~ 98 mA mm^-2, CeO₂ ceramics with a grain size of 114-282 nm and a relative density of 75.4-99.7% were prepared. The densification and microstructure evolution behaviors during flash sintering in this new experimental configuration have been discussed in detail. This new experimental configuration may provide a promising approach for preparing UO₂ ceramics and their HBS.

Key words: High burn-up structure, Flash sintering, CeO2 ceramic, Grain growth

Tongye Li, Jing Yang, Chong Yu, Yihan Liang, Yang Li, Xinfang Zhang. Preliminary Investigation of Preparing High Burn-Up Structure in Nuclear Fuel by Flash Sintering Using CeO₂ as a Surrogate[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2021, 34(12): 1758-1768.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1 SEM images of a original powder and b surface of the green body

Fig. 2 a A schematic diagram of the experimental setup for implementing flash sintering, b picture of the sample at the steady stage, c curve of the electric field, d curve of the current density, e curve of the electrical conductivity

Fig. 3 Curves of the power density (black line) and the calculated temperature (red line). (Color figure online)

Table 1 Summary of the heating rate, holding temperature, holding time of three sintering methods, and the corresponding relative density and grain size

Sintering methods	Heating rate (°C/min)	Holding temperature (°C)	Holding time (min)	Relative density	Grain size (nm)
Conventional pressureless sintering	10	1200	60	~ 91.1%	705 ± 277
			120	~ 94.9%	947 ± 306
			180	~ 96.0%	1767 ± 643
SPS	300	1300	5	~ 94.4%	11,576 ± 875
Pressure-assisted flash sintering	3312 (calculated)	1272-1337 (calculated)	1	~ 75.4%	114 ± 31
			3	~ 88.6%	184 ± 54
			5	~ 99.0%	246 ± 68
			7	~ 99.7%	282 ± 63

Fig. 4 SEM images of the conventional pressureless sintered samples at 1200 °C: a for 1 h, b for 2 h, c for 3 h

Fig. 5 SEM images of a cathode side, and b anode side of the SPS sample at 1300 °C for 5 min under 30 MPa, c cathode side, d anode side of the pressure-assisted flash sintered sample at the maximum current density of?~?98 mA mm-2 for 5 min

Fig. 6 XRD patterns of a original powder and 3 h conventional pressureless sintered sample, b SPS sample (the cathode and anode side), c cathode side of the pressure-assisted flash sintered sample, d anode side of the pressure-assisted flash sintered sample

Fig. 7 SEM images of the pressure-assisted flash sintered sample at the maximum current density of?~?98 mA mm-2: a for 1 min, b for 3 min, c for 5 min, d 7 min

Fig. 8 Grain size vs. time of the pressure-assisted flash sintered and SPS samples

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Preliminary Investigation of Preparing High Burn-Up Structure in Nuclear Fuel by Flash Sintering Using CeO₂ as a Surrogate

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