Formation and Consolidation of UN nanostructures in U-Mo Fuel via Mechanical Alloying and Spark Plasma Sintering
Zillinger, James Matthias. (2023-05). Formation and Consolidation of UN nanostructures in U-Mo Fuel via Mechanical Alloying and Spark Plasma Sintering. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/zillinger_idaho_0089n_12535.html
- Title:
- Formation and Consolidation of UN nanostructures in U-Mo Fuel via Mechanical Alloying and Spark Plasma Sintering
- Author:
- Zillinger, James Matthias
- ORCID:
- 0000-0002-8235-3285
- Date:
- 2023-05
- Embargo Remove Date:
- 2025-06-08
- Keywords:
- mechanical alloying nanostructuring spark plasma sintering U-Mo
- Program:
- Nuclear Engr & Industrial Mgmt
- Subject Category:
- Nuclear engineering; Materials Science
- Abstract:
-
Uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) alloys show promise as a nuclear fuel system due to their high thermal conductivity and high fuel loading capability. However, U-Mo systems suffer from irradiation induced swelling ultimately affecting the cladding via mechanical and chemical interaction. To address these shortcomings, this thesis investigated the formation of uranium mononitride (UN) nanoparticles within a U-10Mo matrix. To promote the formation of UN, U-10Mo powders were mechanically alloyed under a high purity nitrogen cover gas (99.9995%) atmosphere. Variations were made in stainless steel milling media size, duration of milling, and number of times the milling jar was re-aerated with nitrogen gas. UN nanoparticulates were successfully formed within the U-Mo matrix and was characterized utilizing light element analysis, X-ray diffractometry, scanning and transmission-electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. Presence of the UN nanoparticles was found as early as 1-hour into the mechanical alloying process, and significant iron contamination found after 10-hours of milling. The U-Mo/UN powders were compacted using spark plasma sintering techniques in order to stabilize the nanostructure.
- Description:
- masters, M.S., Nuclear Engr & Industrial Mgmt -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2023-05
- Major Professor:
- Charit, Indrajit
- Committee:
- Zhao, Haiyan; Choudhury, Samrat; Jaques, Brian
- Defense Date:
- 2023-05
- Identifier:
- Zillinger_idaho_0089N_12535
- Type:
- Text
- Format Original:
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Rights:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted. For more information, please contact University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu.
- Standardized Rights:
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/