METHOD OF CONTROLLING GRAIN SIZE IN NUCLEAR FUEL COMPACTS

摘要

Satisfactory nuclear fuels made of natural uranium powders originating with a solid and liquid reaction process involving ammonium are prepared by a particle modification step wherein the relative active surface area of the fuel particles is reduced by wet attrition milling while in the green state. The grain size of the ceramic resulting therefrom is more uniform than for the unmodified powder, and undue grain growth of isolated particles is substantially eliminated, thus precluding or largely avoiding undue internal stresses and consequent pellet cracking under operating conditions.