POWDER METALLURGY IN REACTOR TECHNOLOGY

The application of powder metallurgy to reactor technology is considered, not from an economic viewpoint, but for the obtention of structural and operating materials with specific properties. A brief survey is given of some special powder metallurgical methods used. The production of sintered fuel elements is then discussed with consideration of the sintering of uranium and uranium alloys, dispersion fuel elements, sintered elements from uranium monocarbide, uranium dioxide, and thorium, and fuel elements from impregnated alloys. Sintering of the construction materials magnesium, aluminum, zirconium, beryllium, beryllium, beryllium oxide, and shielding materials is also described. 33 references. (J.S.R.)