The EFTTRA-T3 irradiation experiment on inert matrix fuels

In the EFTTRA-T3 irradiation experiment eight uranium bearing inert matrix fuel capsules and eight capsules containing inert matrices have been irradiated. The irradiations were based on the matrices: MgO, MgAl2O4, Y3Al5O12, Y2O3 and CeO2. The heterogeneously dispersed fuel contained fissile inclusions of UO2 or (U,Y)Ox. These capsules were irradiated for 198.87 days in the HFR Petten. The burn-up of the U-bearing capsules was 17–20% FIMA. The present paper describes all aspects of the EFTTRA-T3 irradiation; the fabrication and characterisation of the samples, irradiation and both destructive and non-destructive PIE.