CHARACTERISTICS AND SINTERABILITY OF MOX POWDER PREPARED BY THE MICROWAVE HEATING DENITRATION METHOD

2008 
The characteristics and sinterability of UO 2 -PuO 2 mixed oxide (MH-MOX) powder prepared by the microwave heating denitration method were measured and compared with those of UO 2 (ADU-UO 2 ) powder prepared by the ADU method. Furthermore, the degree of surface roughness and flowability of MH-MOX powder were evaluated and also compared with those of ADU-UO 2 powder. The degree of surface roughness of ADU- UO 2 powder calcined at temperatures >700°C significantly decreased, and its sintered density also dropped below 80% theoretical density. However, the degree of surface roughness and sinterability of MH-MOX powder calcined at 950°C were higher than those of ADUUO 2 powder. These results could be understood using the concept of Hiittig and Tamman temperatures, which is commonly cited for ceramic materials. The flow abilities of MH-MOX and ADU-UO 2 powders decreased with an increase of compressibility, and they were categorized as non-free-flowing according to Carr's theory on powder flowability. It is, therefore, necessary for the mixed powder of MH-MOX powder, ADU-UO 2 powder, and dry recycled MOX scrap powder to be granulated to provide a free-flowing feed to the pelletizing press in the MOX pellet fabrication process.
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