Abstract
Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a rapidly developing method for densification of powders into compacts. It belongs to the so-called "field assisted sintering techniques" that enable rapid sintering at much lower temperatures than the classical approaches of pressureless sintering of green pellets or hot isostatic pressing. In this paper, we report the successful integration of a SPS device into a hermetic glovebox for the handling of highly radioactive material containing radioisotopes of U, Th, Pu, Np, and Am. The glovebox implantation has been facilitated by the replacement of the hydraulic system to apply pressure with a compact electromechanical unit. The facility has been successfully tested using UO2 powder. Pellets with 97% of the theoretical density were obtained at 1000 °C for 5 min, significantly lower than the ∼1600 °C for 5-10 h used in conventional pellet sintering.
Highlights
The synthesis of high density high quality pellets from powders is a fine art
We report the successful integration of a Spark plasma sintering (SPS) device into a hermetic glovebox for the handling of highly radioactive material containing radioisotopes of U, Th, Pu, Np, and Am
Very efficient techniques for powder compaction and sintering have been developed. They employ an electric field as a facilitator of such processes and are generally referred to as “Field Assisted Sintering Techniques” (FAST)
Summary
The synthesis of high density high quality pellets from powders is a fine art With sufficient foresight, this goal can be achieved, after optimization of a variety of parameters, including compaction parameters (pressure, velocity of the stamps, retention during ejection, lubrication, etc.) and sintering (temperature ramps and dwell time, atmosphere, etc.). Very efficient techniques for powder compaction and sintering have been developed They employ an electric field as a facilitator of such processes and are generally referred to as “Field Assisted Sintering Techniques” (FAST).. Apart from the ongoing scientific discussion concerning the actual mechanisms (presence or absence of plasma during processing by SPS) and the actual effect of the electric field and current, it presents a very efficient technique for powder consolidation compared to classical sintering of green pellets. The first results of net-shape compaction of UO2 pellets are presented
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