Fabrication of transmutation fuels and targets: the ECRIX and CAMIX-COCHIX experience

This paper describes the developments and results of the fabrication technology of target materials prepared for the ECRIX and CAMIX–COCHIX experiments concerning the transmutation of americium in uranium-free targets. In these irradiation experiments, planned for the PHENIX reactor, several target concepts will be tested: microdispersed composites of AmO1.6 in MgO (ECRIX), micro- as well as macrodispered composites of (Am,Y,Zr)O2−x in MgO and homogeneous (Am,Y,Zr)O2−x (CAMIX–COCHIX) material. Results of the completed fabrication campaign of ECRIX in the Atalante facility of CEA and the pre-qualification tests (with Ce and Pu) for CAMIX–COCHIX at ITU are given.