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The Application of the Electron Microprobe in the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Meltdown Experiments*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

S. J. Stachura  and
L. Cooper
S. J. Stachura
Affiliation:
Atomics International North American Aviation, Inc. Canoga Park, California
L. Cooper
Affiliation:
Atomics International North American Aviation, Inc. Canoga Park, California
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Abstract

Transient (nuclear) heating experiments were conducted with uranium carbide fuel rods to study the failure characteristics of typical rod designs. Extremely unusual changes in microstructure were observed and the electron microprobe was employed to establish the disposition of materials resulting from the meltdown experiments. The probe results indicated substantial fuel-clad interactions and permitted the resolution of several uncertainties regarding the course of fuel rod failure and material redistribution. The electron microprobe represents a unique capability in the post-test analysis of such meltdown tests.

Type
Research Article
Information
Advances in X-Ray Analysis , Volume 10: Fifteenth Annual Conference on Applications of X-ray Analysis, August 10-12, 1966 , 1966 , pp. 422 - 430
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1966

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Footnotes

*

Based upon studies conducted for the USAEC under Contract AT-(11-1)-GEN-8.

References

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