METHOD AND FURNACE FOR SINTERING OF U-ZR POWDER COMPACTS IN A LOW-VACUUM ENVIRONMENT

摘要

A method and a sintering furnace for sintering of uranium-zirconium mixed powder compacts in a low-vacuum environment are provided to produce a homogeneous sintered metal by preventing the evaporation of uranium and Zr(O) phase formed in the sintering process due to the inflow of air according to high vacuum. A sintering furnace for sintering of a uranium-zirconium powder compact comprises: a housing including a crucible housed in the housing to prepare a uranium-containing powder compact, and a heater hosed in the housing and disposed on an outer periphery of the crucible to supply heat to the crucible to sinter a uranium-zirconium powder compact; a vacuum system communicating with an opening at one side of a bottom part of the housing to control the degree of vacuum of the housing; and an inert chamber in which the housing is housed, and which has a gas inlet and a gas outlet formed at predetermined positions on upper and lower side faces thereof. The housing is maintained to a low-vacuum environment with a vacuum range of 1.0Î10^-4 to 1.0Î10^-1 torr by the vacuum system, and the crucible supplies a heat with a temperature range of 1300 to 1500 deg.C to sinter the powder compact.