Preparation of U-Zr-Mn, a Surrogate Alloy for Recycling Fast Reactor Fuel

Metallic fuel slugs of U-10Zr-5Mn (wt%), a surrogate alloy for the U-TRU-Zr (TRU: a transuranic element) alloys proposed for sodium-cooled fast reactors, were prepared by injection casting in a laboratory-scale furnace, and their characteristics were evaluated. As-castU-Zr-Mn fuel rods were generally sound, without cracks or thin sections. Approximately 68% of the original Mn content was lost under dynamic vacuum and the resulting slug was denser than those prepared under Ar pressure. The concentration of volatile Mn was as per the target composition along the entire length of the rods prepared under 400 and 600 Torr. Impurities, namely, oxygen, carbon, silicon, and nitrogen, totaled less than 2,000 ppm, satisfying fuel criteria.