Author:
Favart N.,Ravat B.,Jolly L.,Zacharie-Aubrun I.,Martin P.,Menut D.,Popa I.,Oudot B.
Abstract
AbstractThe oxidation of δ-stabilized plutonium alloy was studied under dry oxygen exposures for temperatures varying from 100 up to 300 °C and oxygen partial pressures varying from 10–4 up to 500 mbar. The coupling of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and FIB-SEM has allowed to show that the oxide scale is composed of an outer layer of PuO2 and an inner mixed layer of α + β-Pu2O3 platelets propagating into a metallic zone corresponding to the stable phase of unalloyed Pu. Furthermore, the analysis of Pu oxidation kinetics has displayed first a parabolic growth governed by the diffusion of interstitial oxygen. This step consists of the thickening of the Pu2O3 layer with a decrease in α-Pu2O3 ratio in favor of β-Pu2O3. Then, a second step occurs consisting of a linear growth of the PuO2-layer with the formation of thick nodules which tend to cover the whole oxide surface. Based on the results of this work, a general oxidation mechanism for δ-Pu alloy is provided.
Funder
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
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