Solid-state phase transitions of two quaternary metallic fuel alloys (U-2.5Mo-2.5Ti-5.0Zr and U-1.5Mo-1.5Ti-7.0Zr in wt. %)

Abstract

This study focuses on the solid-state phase transitions of two quaternary fuel alloys for fast reactors: U-1.5Mo-1.5Ti-7.0Zr (U-MT7Z) and U-2.5Mo-2.5Ti-5.0Zr (U-MT5Z). The characterization techniques are differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). To identify the high temperature phases, the alloys were annealed at 873K, 948K, 1023K, and 1123K (all under 72 hours). Combining those characterizations, the phase transitions are determined. In U-MT7Z, there is one phase transition observed, and it is ascribed to α + U2Ti → γ transition. In U-MT5Z, two transitions are found. The first transition is α → γ, while the second is U2Ti → γ. The γ phase onset temperature of U-MT5Z is lower than that of U-MT7Z due to the higher Mo content.