Characterization of Mg–Y co-doped ZrO2/MgAl2O4 composite ceramic and the corrosion reaction in molten uranium

A kind of composite ceramic consisted of Mg–Y co-doped ZrO2 and MgAl2O4 was prepared as a lining material of the high density graphite crucibles in nuclear industry. When the addition of MgAl2O4 was 7 wt%, the sample showed good thermal shock resistance. The obtained samples were tested in flowing molten uranium and no apparent cracks were found on the corrosion surface. Meanwhile, with the prolonging of corrosion time, the corrosion rate significantly decreased due to the formation of a protection layer consisted of UO2, Al3Zr2 and ZrC.