Interaction of uranium-molybdenum fuel with an aluminum matrix with deep burnup

A thermodynamic analysis is used to calculate the phase and component composition of uranium-molybdenum fuel with burnup 200 GW·days/ton. The equilibrium composition of the gas phase, consisting mainly of gaseous cesium whose pressure reaches 30 kPa, is determined more accurately. The quantitative composition of the phase of solid solutions of tellurides, whose formation degrades the structure of a fuel granule, is presented. Thermal tests of the fuel composition (U―Mo)―Al were performed. The investigation was performed in the presence of simulators of the chemically active fission products of cesium and iodine at different temperature. The interaction zone of (U―Mo)―Al is investigated by means of metallography and scanning electron microscopy. The data obtained on the composition of the indicated zone made it possible to conjecture the character of interaction between the fuel material and the aluminum matrix.