Nuclear fuel rod - with cerium sub:oxide addn. to fissile material for corrosion protection of stainless steel coating

摘要

A nuclear fuel rod for use in a fast breeder reactor contains a (U/Pu)O2-x mixt. as fissible material and a coating of stainless steel. In addn. the rod contains cerium suboxide or suboxides of other lanthanides which reduce the corrosion of the stainless steel during the neutron irradiation effectively. This reduces the corrosion of the stainless steel to acceptable limits. It is a more economical and practical way of increasing the life of a fuel element then raising the plutonium concn. to 10-20% or reducing the initial oxide/metal ratio to a very low level.