Spark Plasma Sintering of simulated radioisotope materials within tungsten cermets

A Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) furnace was used to produce ceramic–metallic sinters (cermets) containing a simulated loading of radioisotope materials. CeO2 was used to simulate loadings of PuO2, UO2 or AmO2 within tungsten-based cermets due to the similar kinetic properties of these materials, in particular the respective melting points and Gibbs free energies. The work presented demonstrates the capability and suitability of the SPS process for the production of radioisotope encapsulates for nuclear fuels and other applications (including waste disposal and radioisotope power and heat source fabrication) where the mechanical capture of radioisotope materials is required.