Interaction of U-Pu-Zr alloys containing minor actinides and rare earths with stainless steel

Abstract

Abstract Isothermal tests and tests in a thermal gradient have shown that U-Pu-Zr alloys containing 5% of minor actinides (Np and Am) and rare earths (Nd, Ce and Y) with the Fe and Ni constituents of stainless steel interact to form compounds that melt below 1000 K. U preferentially interacts with Fe, whereas the rare earths preferentially interact with Ni. In the absence of U, Fe interacts with the rare earths and in this case the Fe and Ni interaction compounds formed melt at a temperature around 890 K. Cr does not actively participate in the formation of low melting compounds. The melting temperatures were established by dilatometry and the phases formed in the reaction layers were determined by electron probe microanalysis.