Development of NdYO3 Powder Fabrication as a Reaction Preventing Raw Material for Metal Fuel Casting

Abstract

Metal fuel is a promising candidate for the pyro-processed nuclear fuel, but the problem of loss of nuclear material due to the high reactivity of metal fuel and melting crucible in the metal fuel casting process must be solved for loss control and waste reduction. In this study, fabrication test was conducted to develop a new material NdYO3 as a new crucible material to improve the degree of anti-reactivity. The NdYO3 compact was manufactured by the CIP (Cold isostatic pressing) method with changing fraction of Nd2O3 and Y2O3 powders. Sintering process was performed at 1550°C for 10 hours. The systematic trends of XRD patterns shows that phase transformations form cubic structure to monoclinic structures occurred with the addition of Y2O3. The rate of pore were discussed with change of fraction of Nd2O3 and Y2O3.