Author/Authors :
Kutty، نويسنده , , T.R.G and Hegde، نويسنده , , P.V. and Banerjee، نويسنده , , J. and Khan، نويسنده , , K.B. and Sengupta، نويسنده , , A.K and Jain، نويسنده , , G.C and Majumdar، نويسنده , , S. and Kamath، نويسنده , , H.S.، نويسنده ,
Abstract :
The shrinkage behaviour of ThO2, ThO2–30%PuO2, ThO2–50%PuO2 and ThO2–75%PuO2 pellets has been studied using a dilatometer in inert (Ar) and reducing atmospheres (Ar–8%H2). The effects of dopants of CaO and Nb2O5 on shrinkage of the oxides of the above Pu/(Pu+Th) ratios were also studied. Out of the two dopants studied, CaO was found to give larger shrinkage for all the Pu/(Pu+Th) ratios covered in this study. It was also found that the shrinkage was marginally larger in Ar–8%H2 than in Ar atmosphere. Addition of PuO2 to ThO2 enhanced sintering. This was found to be true for both the dopants. During the sintering of ThO2, a prominent peak was observed in the shrinkage curve at around 100–300 °C. This peak was attributed to the pressure increase of the trapped gases which subsequently release at high temperatures.
