Fractal analysis of high burn-up structures in UO2

The surface structure of UO2 at different cross-section average burn-ups was studied with fractal analysis methods. Micrographs of the surface, subjected to both “as-polished” and “as-etched” treatments, with a magnification of 1250× have been used to this end. It was shown that the fractal properties of the surface strongly depend on the radiation damage of the material. Some evidences for existence of self-organization processes in UO2 at high average burn-ups were obtained.