Abstract
The European Mini-Plate Irradiation Experiment (EMPIrE) aims to test the in-pile behavior of various ZrN
coated UMo powder batches, produced using different technological processes. UMo(ZrN) particles are
typical core-shell systems taking advantages of a dense fissile material, UMo, with a coated ZrN layer
acting as a diffusion barrier. The U-7Mo kernels were produced by centrifugal or rotating electrode atomization
processes and the ZrN coating was performed by physical vapor deposition or atomic layer
deposition processes. A total of ten batches of UMo(ZrN) powders were examined in the as-obtained
state, i.e prior to fuel-plate fabrication and before in-pile irradiation. The present investigation gives a
characterization of each powder batch mainly in terms of morphological and microstructural features
carried out by means of SEM-EDS, LOM, EPMA, AFM and TEM analyses. Digital image processing using
ImageJ software was employed to determine several particle size (major axis, minor axis, Feret’s diameters,
and equivalent diameter) and shape (aspect ratio, circularity, convexity and concavity) parameters
as well as the ZrN deposited layer thickness. The quality of the ZrN layer was examined in terms
of surface roughness, grain structure and aggregated habits. Our characterization results draw a detailed
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | 152087 |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-16 |
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Number of pages | 16 |
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Journal | Journal of Nuclear Materials |
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Volume | 533 |
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DOIs | |
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Publication status | Published - 6 Mar 2020 |
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