Self-irradiation effects in dense and tailored porosity U1−yAmyO2−x (y = 0.10; 0.15) compounds

Damien Prieur (1, 2) , Aurélien Jankowiak (3) , D. Roudil (4) , S. Dubois (5) , C. Leorier (2) , N. Herlet (2) , P. Dehaudt (6) , Jean-Paul Laval (7) , Philippe Blanchart (1)

1 GEMH - Groupe d'Etudes des Matériaux Hétérogènes
2 LEMA - Laboratoire d'Elaboration des Matériaux à base d'Actinides
3 LC2M - Laboratoire d'Etude du Comportement Mécanique des Matériaux
4 CETAMA - Commission des méthodes d'analyse du CEA
5 LTEC - Laboratoire des Technologies d'Elaboration des Combustibles
6 CEA
7 Axe 3 : organisation structurale multiéchelle des matériaux

Dense and tailored porosity U1−yAmyO2−x (y = 0.10; 0.15) pellets were fabricated to determine the influence of the microstructure on the self-irradiation effect at room temperature due to Am α decay. A first positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) approach showed the presence of vacancy type defects due to the cumulative decay dose. When He fills these vacancies, a void growth and swelling can occur. In addition, accurate diameter measurements with time were performed showing that a macroscopic swelling of 1% could be attained for the high density material. The stage value seems to depend on both type and porosity level. Swelling laws describing the diameter variation have been determined.

Domaines: Chimie; Matériaux; Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]; Matériaux

Damien Prieur, Aurélien Jankowiak, D. Roudil, S. Dubois, C. Leorier, et al.. Self-irradiation effects in dense and tailored porosity U1−yAmyO2−x (y = 0.10; 0.15) compounds. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2011, 411 (1-3), pp.15-19. ⟨10.1016/j.jnucmat.2010.12.314⟩. ⟨hal-00632206⟩