Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-9q27g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-16T16:59:48.791Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

High-Temperature Annealing of Natural UO2+x

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

J. Janeczek
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131.
R. C. Ewing
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131.
Get access

Abstract

Four powdered samples of natural UO2+x (uraninite) were annealed in a reducing atmosphere up to 1200°C. The initial unit cell parameters ranged from ao=0.5463 to 0.5385 nm. Small amounts of UO2.25 occur in all samples after annealing. Annealing curves show the effects of recovery of point defects in the oxygen sublattice, ordering of U4+ and U6+, vacancy migration in the cation sublattice, and second order phase transformations. The difference in the annealing behavior of UO2+x with x < 0.15 as compared to x = 0.25 between 400 and 700°C is due to ordering of U4+ and U6+. Density increased after annealing except for one sample in which a large number of cavities (1–2 μm in size) formed. Oxidation and chemical composition have a more dramatic effect on the structural state of natural UO2+x than self-irradiation caused by a-decay damage.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Finch, R.J. and Ewing, R.C., Radiochimica Acta (1990) in press.Google Scholar
2. Weber, W.J., J. Nucl. Materials 114, 213221 (1983).Google Scholar
3. Smith, D.K. Jr., in Uranium. Geochemistry. Mineralogy. Geology. Exploration and Resources, edited by De Vivo, B., Ippolito, F., Capaldi, G. and Simpson, P.R. (Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, 1984), pp. 4371.Google Scholar
4. Brooker, E.J. and Nuffield, E.W., American Mineralogist 37, 363385 (1952).Google Scholar
5. Berman, M.R., American Mineralogist 42, 705731 (1957).Google Scholar
6. Stout, P.J., Lumpkin, G.R., Ewing, R.C., Eyal, Y., in “Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XI”. edited by Apted, M.J. and Weterman, R.E. (Mater. Res. Soc. Proc. 112, Boston, 1988), pp. 495504.Google Scholar
7. Weber, W.J., Radiat. Effects 83 145156 (1984).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Cathelineau, M., Cuney, M., Leroy, J., Lhote, F., Nguyen Trung, C., Pagel, M., Poty, B., in Vein-type and Similar Uranium Deposits (IAEA, Vienna, 1982), pp.159176.Google Scholar
9. Primak, W., Phys. Rev. 100 (6), 16771689 (1955).Google Scholar
10. Naito, K., Tsui, T., Matsui, T., J. Nucl. Materials 48, 5866 (1973).Google Scholar
11. Willis, B.T.M., J.Chem.Soc, Faraday Trans. 2, 83, 10731081 (1987).Google Scholar
12. Schaner, B.E., J. Nucl. Materials 2 (2), 110120 (1960).Google Scholar
13. Belbeoch, B., Laredo, E., Perio, P., J. Nucl. Materials 13, 100106 (1964).Google Scholar